SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON 



TS NOTED MEN, ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN, 



ESTABLISHED CUSTOMS, 



lEVZEHsTTS- 



By RANDOLPH KKIM, 




PRINTED BY THE HARRISBURG (PA.) PUBLISHING COMPAN: 



Copyright 1887, by DeB. Randolph Keim. 



CONTENTS. 



I uges. 

CHAPTER I. 



The National Capital and its Social Life, 1-2 

A KenVx of National Lift- Technical Contentions over Constitutional 
Abstractions A Political Agency The New Regime Washington 
the Capital of a Nation An Embodiment of its Political and Social 
Life- Prospective Magnificence. 

CHAPTER II. 

The President, 3-9 

An Elective Sovereign by Divine Right of the People His Pre-emi 
nence among Rulers Powers, Prerogatives and Titles Grover 
Cleveland the Man of Destiny The Official Household of the Presi 
dent Private Secretary Laruont Mr. Prudeu Col, Wilson Lieut. 
Duval. 

CHAPTER III. 

The Wife of the President, 10-18 

The First Lady of the Land Her Social Prerogatives and Pre-emi 
nenceThe Wedding at the White House Mrs. Cleveland Her 
Triumphs as Presiding Lady Ceremonial and Social Affairs Do 
mestic Life at the Executive Mansion White House Guests Miss 
Cleveland Mrs. Hoyt Mrs. Folsom Oak View Mrs. Lamont. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Founding a Social Republic, 1 9~ 2 5 

Anxiety of President Washington to Properly Inaugurate the Official 
and Social Autonomy of the Government The People Unaccustomed 
to the Conventionalities of Ceremonial Intercourse The First Presi 
dent Propounds Certain Queries on Propriety and Etiquette John 
Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison Invited 
to Respond Their Views The Adoption of a System of Official and 
Social Etiquette President Jefferson Formulates a Communistic 
Code of Manners Return to the Old System Washington Official 
and Social Usages the Growth of a Century. 

CHAPTER V. 

American Precedency and Titles, 26-35 

A Scale of Precedence Necessary to the Harmony of Official and Social 
Intercourse The Theory of Precedency Rank by Authority of the 
Constitution Statutory Rank Subordinate Common Law of Prece 
dence among Men and Women Some of ^the Recent Controversies 
at Washington on Questions of Precedence Constitutional Titles 
The Contest in the First Congress over the Title of the President 
Settles all the Rest Titles of Official Rank Titles by Usage for 
Women in Official Society Their Use Optional. 



iv SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Cabinet, 35~47 

The Administration The Order of Precedency of the Cabinet in the 
Official Scale The Premier Secretary Bayard The Bayard Family 
His Foreign Policy The New Secretary of the Treasury Mr. 
Fairchild Mrs. Fairchild Ex-Secretary and Mrs. Manning Secre 
tary and Mrs. Endicott Attorney General Garland Postmaster Gen 
eral and Mrs. Vilas Secretary and Mrs. Whitney Secretary and 
Mrs. Lamar. 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Diplomatic Corps, 48-56 

The Diplomatic Circle Its Personnel Rules of Precedence, Cere 
mony and Etiquette The Dean of the Corps The Ceremonial 
Functions Exercised by Courtesy by the Dean Mme. and M lle 
Preston Viscount and Viscountess de Nogueiras Baron de Fava 
Mr. Melsbroeck Count and Countess d Arschot Sir Lionel West 
The Misses West Mr. and Mrs. Edwardes Senor and Senora Romero 
Mr. and Madame de Struve Baron and Baroness Rosen Mr. 
Greger Mr. Roustan Count Sala. 

CHAPTER VIII. 
The Diplomatic Corps Continued, 57-67 

Colonel Frey Mr., Mrs. and Miss Carter Mr. De Weckherlin Senor 
Flores Mr. Von Alvensleben, Baron Zedtvvitz and Mr. Jenisch 
Senor Becerra Mr. and Mrs. Kuki and Secretary Akabane Senor 
Peralta Mr. and Mrs. de Reuterskiold Senor Quosada Baron and 
Baroness D ltajuba Senor Muruaga Chang Yen Hoon and his Ori 
ental suite Doctor Corral Don Domingo and Senora de Gana 
Mavroyeni Bey Chevalier Von Tavera Senor Olavarria Mr. do 
Lovenorn The Representatives of Salvador, Uruguay and Guatemala. 

CHAPTER IX. 
Diplomacy and Etiquette, 68-75 

The Rule of Intercourse established Early Ministers Jefferson s 
Lack of Manners Proposed Legislation to Punish the Abuse of Di 
plomatic Privileges A Social Incident President Monroe Fixes the 
Social Relations of Foreign Ministers at the Executive Mansion 
A Revolt in the Cabinet The President s Daughter Retaliates for an 
Assumed Slight Relations Better Understood The Place of the De 
partment of .State Present Rules of Ceremonial and Social Inter 
courseNecessity of an Officer of Ceremonies Secretary Evarts 1 
Plan for Diplomatic and Official Entertainments. 

CHAPTER X. 

The Vice-President, 76-78 

The Heir Presumptive to the Presidency The Senate Asserts the 
Dignity of the Office Second in the Scale of Precedence The Title 
The Late Vice-President Claims to Social Pre-eminence of the Wife 
of the Vice-President Ignored A Social Anomaly. 

CHAPTER XL 

The President of the Senate Pro Tempore, 79-8i 

His Place in the Scale of Dignities Taken out of the Line of Presi 
dential Succession John James Ingalls His Participation in the 
Anti-Slavery struggles in Kansas His career Leading to the U. S. 
Senate As a Senator Unique in Appearance and Genius In So 
cietyMrs. Ingalls. 



CONTENTS. v 

CHAPTER XII. 
Senatorial Precedence, 82-86 

Ambassadors of the StatesTheir Functions Within the Three Coordi 
nate Branches of the Government The Senate Never Dies The 
Senatorial Circle Statesmanship, Learning, Culture, and Opulence- 
Questions of Precedence A Direct issue The Practice Since Pre 
cedence in the General Social Scale Practically Conceded. 

CHAPTER XIII. 
The Senior Senators and Their Ladies, 87-94 

A Senatorial Leader of the Left Mrs. Sherman The " Patriarch of 
Congress " Mrs. Morrill Miss Swan " The Father of the Senate" 
Mrs. and Miss Edmunds The Senior Senator of the Right Senator 
and Mrs. Ransom Senator Allison Mrs. Ex-Senator Grimes The 
" Silver Senator" Mrs. Jones Senator and Mrs. Dawes Miss Dawes 
Senatorand Mrs. Cockrell Senator and Mrs. Mitchell A Senatorial 
Belle Senator and Mrs. Teller. 

CHAPTER XIV. 
The Senators and Their Ladies Continued, 



Senator Cameron Senators Voorhees and Beck Senator Pluml&gt; Sen 
ator Butler Senator Hoar Senators Morgan, McPherson, Harris, 
Coke, and Hampton Senators Hawley and Platt Senators Hale, 
Frye, Aldrich, Sawyer, and Blair Senators Gorman, Vest, Vance, 
Pugh, George, and Call The Ladies of Their Families. 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Junior Senators and Their Ladies, 

Senators Evarts, Stanford, Wilson, Cullom, Farwell, Sabin, Manderson, 
Palmer, Dolph, Chace, Spoonor, Bowen, and the Ladies of Their 
Families Senator Riddleberger Senators Kenna, Gibson, Eustis, 
Bowen, Colquit, Payne, Gray, Blackburn, Wilson, Walt hall, Jones, 
Berry Their Ladies. 

CHAPTER XVI. 
The Senators Retired and Elect, 112-117 

The Departing Senators Their Ladies who have Graced the Social 
World of the. Capital The Incoming Senators Their Social Sur 
roundings. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The Chief Justice of the United States and Justices, 118-124 

The Third Co-ordinate Branch of the Government The Place, of the 
Chief Jnstice-His Title The Justices-Their Rank- The High 
Social Place of the Court Circh Its Members Open the Ceremonial 
;ind Social Season at the Capital Chief Justice and Mrs. Waite The 
Justices and the Ladies of Their Families Adherence toOld Forms. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Speaker, 125-129 

Recognized by the Constitution The Tenure of His Office The 
Symbol of His Authority The Fasces The Power of the Speaker 
His Place in the Scale of Dignities -Title Ceremonial and Social 
Relations John Griffin Carlisle Mrs. Carlisle. 



yi SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

The Representatives, 129-134 

The Official and Social Circle of the Popular Branch of Congress The 
Constitutional Powers and Precedence of it.s Members The New 
England Representatives Their Ladies. 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Middle States Representatives, . . . . I35-H5 

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, in Congress 
Their Ladies in the Social Circle of the People s Branch A Group of 
the Beauty, Wit, and Fashion of the Most Populous and Wealthy 
Section of the Union. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Western and Pacific Representatives, ... 145-152 

The Men and Woman who Built up a Western Empire Typical of the 
Spirit of American Institutions The Representatives from Ohio, In 
diana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Ne 
braska, Colorado, California, Nevada, and Oregon Their Ladies. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The Southern Representatives, 153-162 

A New Generation in the Congressional and Social Life of the Capital 
The Representatives, and Their Ladies, of Maryland, Virginia, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and 
West Virginia The Territorial Delegates Their Ladies. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Army in Society, 162-179 

An Epitome of Martial Valor and Fashion The Lieutenant General 
and his Military Family Their Ladies-The Officers of the Staff 
Departments and Ladies The Garrison of Washington and its Social 
Life. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Navy in Society, I79~ l8 7 

The Naval Circle Admiral and Mrs. Porter The Vice Admiral The 
Active Rear Admirals Officers of the Administrative Bureaus and 
Their Ladies-The Judge Advocate General Professor Newcomb 
and Assistants and Their Ladies The Officers of the Hydrographic 
Office, Steel Inspection, Naval Observatory, Navy Yard, and on 
Special Duty Their Ladies. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

The Marines in Society, 188-191 

"Mondays" at the Barracks Fashion, Music and Parade The In 
spection " Hop" Society Sight Seeing -The Drawing-Rooms of the 
Wife of the Colonel Commandant Colonel MeCawley The Staff- 
Major Houston Captain Pope The Junior Officers -The Ladies of 
the Garrison. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
Retired Officers of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, ..... 192-198 

Heroes on Land and Sea The Veterans of Three Wars in the Peaceful 
Walks of Social Life A Distinguished Gathering of Brave Men and 
Accomplished Women. 



CONTENTS. vii 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
In the Statutory Rank of Official Precedence, 199-207 

The Judges of the Court of Claims and Their Ladies The Secretary 
of the Senate The Clerk of the House of Representatives The 
Assistant Secretaries of Executive Departments The Clerk of the 
Supreme Court of the United States Their Social Surroundings. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

The Washington Correspondents, . 208-216 

Who they are The Ladies of Their Families Their Place in Society 
The City Press. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Unofficial Society, 217 

Its Im-reasing Influence and Importance Drawing the lines The 
Representative Character of Washington Fashionable Life Its Per 
sonnel to be Considered. 

CHAPTER XXX. 
Some Notable Social Events, 218-230 

State Levees, Official Dining, Social Drawing-Rooms, and Luncheons 
at the Executive Mansion The Banquet to the Queen of Hawaii- 
Cabinet Entertainments The Christening of Dorothy Payne Whit 
neyDiplomatic, Halls Congressional (iayeties Ariny and Navy 
Germans-Club Receptions Fashionable Diversions. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

The Kirmes, 231-240 

The Elite of Fashionable Life at the Capital Witness the Dance of 
Nations Three Hundred Dancers in Costume A Gorgeous Spec 
tacle. 




SOCIETY IN W, 




CHAPTER I. 

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AND ITS SOCIAL LIFE. 

A REFLEX OF NATIONAL LIFE TECHNICAL CONTENTIONS OVER CONSTITU 
TIONAL ABSTRACTIONS A POLITICAL AGENCY THE NEW REGIME 

WASHINGTON THE CAPITAL OF A NATION AN EMBODIMENT OF ITS 
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE PROSPECTIVE MAGNIFICENCE. 

-ITVT WASHINGTON is becoming each year more and more an epitome of 

YY the social life of the Republic. 

The fashionable life of the capital of a nation may be said to be a 
reflex of the polite society of the nation itself. The society of London, 
whether of the court or gentry, is an embodiment of the higher life of the 
kingdom. The gay life of the French capital, whether we go back to the 
luxurious court of the old regime or to the days of military ascendancy under 
the great Napoleon or follow it down through the mutations of imperial and 
republican forms, presents a mirror of the social life of the French people. 
The precedence of military over civil rank in Berlin pervades the entire social 
fabric of the Empire. The Austrian capital reflects the social phases of the 
Teutonic and Sclavic races of Southeastern Europe. Russian imperialism, 
drawing its inspiration from the traditions of the Kremlin, and transplanted 
upon the banks of the Neva, exalted the court and nobility into an attitude of 
social pre-eminence felt throughout the vast length and breadth of that Empire 
of European and Asiatic peoples and reared a superstructure of social life 
among the governing classes, based upon the foundations of autocratic power 
subservient to and part of the sovereign will. 

In adjusting the authority cf the government of the United States under 
the Constitution of 1787 to the quasi-sovereignty of the States, the question of 
establishing a Federal territory in which the government should have 
supreme control as an inceptive condition to the vigorous and unobstructed 
exercise of the powers of the new Constitution, gave rise to the most acrimo 
nious discussion on the part of the opponents of a national system. The incon 
venience of a peripatetic government meeting during the seven years struggle 
for Independence in seven cities and four States to suit the vicissitudes of 
war practically exemplified the advantage of a fixed place for the exercise of 
executive and legislative functions. A class of politicians who kept the coun- 
I 



2 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

try in constant turmoil over controversial technicalities upon constructions of 
the Constitution and State rights for a half century, persisted in advocating 
the absurd doc rine that the National Capital was nothing more than a central 
political agency, where Congress might meet upon stated occasions or upon 
the call of the President to pass laws, appropriate money, levy taxes, declare 
war, ratify treaties, confirm nominations, and adjourn; where the President 
and Executive officers and employees, the Supreme Judiciary and Ministers 
of the Diplomatic Corps might live a life of official and social isolation and 
neglect and where residents might pay taxes for the privilege of maintaining 
a municipality of which the National Government was the chief and most 
costly beneficiary. 

The ultimate and incontrovertible vindication of the indubitable supremacy 
of the National over assumed St~te sovereignties, established beyond further 
cavils of so-called statesmen the ascendancy of principles of government 
which recognized in the Capital of the Nation the supreme embodiment of its 
political and social life. The effect of party doctrines and controversies upon 
the National Capital is forcibly illustrated in the slow march of the early decades 
and marvelous progress of recent years. When John Adams took possession 
of the unfinished executive mansion and Congress assembled amid the rubbish 
of the partly built capitol in the autumn of 1800, there lived within the limits 
of the Federal territory 14,000 inhabitants, 4,000 of whom were negroes. 
During a period of sixty years 1800-60 there had been an average annual 
increase of but 850 white persons. The Nation meanwhile had grown from 
5,000,000 to 32,000,000 inhabitants. In the next twenty-seven years the 
Nation s Capital, under the liberal and enlightened policy of the new regime 
supported by the cultured and lefined sentiment of the people of the country 
at large, expanded into a city cf over a quarter of a million. Its assessed 
wealth, which had increased to bit $41,000,000 in sixty years, rose to $200,- 
000,000 in twenty-five years, one hundred millions representing the value of 
its unrivaled public buildings. There is no limit to its future growth in pop 
ulation, wealth and magnificence. To measure the future of the Nation s 
Capital would be to mark out the grand march of progress of the Nation itself. 
To describe its majestic public edifices, its princely private residences, its 
works of art, its institutions of learning, its departments of science, and the 
brilliancy of its official and social life presents a picture of the ascending glory 
and grandeur of the government and people of the American Republic. 



THE PRESIDENT. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE PRESIDENT. 

AN ELECTIVE SOVEREIGN BY DIVINE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE HIS PRE-EMI 
NENCE AMONG RULERS POWERS, PREROGATIVES AND TITLES GROVER 
CLEVELAND THE MAN OF DESTINY THE OFFICIAL HOUSEHOLD OF THE 
PRESIDENT PRIVATE SECRETARY LAMONT MR. PRUDEN COL. "\\TLSON 
LIEUT. DUVALL. 

(rln HE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES is the elective sovereign of a 
nation of sovereigns. He represents the executive and administrative 
functions of the most advanced government of homogeneous people on 
the face of the globe. Within the limits of the Constitution he wields greater 
author, ty than the most exalted ruler. His title to his high office founded 
upon the suffrages of his fellow-citizens places him at the apex of the official 
and social superstructure of the Constitution and invests him with all the 
powers, privileges and prerogatives of supreme rank. He is not only the 
civil head of the Nation but is the commander- in-chief of its Army and Navy 
and of the militia of the several States when called into the actual service of 
the United States. In his name diplomatic relations with foreign countries 
are established and maintained. In him alone is vested the nomination of the 
vast patronage of the executive and judicial branches of the Government em 
bracing fully ten thousand civil, military and naval officers requiring senatorial 
consent. He has supreme and unquestioned power of appointment of an 
army of over one hundred and fifty thousand civil employees of all grades. 

As an individual he is entitled to the personality and enjoyments of other 
citizens but as the Chief Magistrate exercising the high duties imposed upon 
the Executive under the Constitution he is held in restraint by certain official 
and social conventionalities and precedents coincident with the inauguration 
of the Government, and endorsed and approved by unbroken usage through 
the entire line of his predecessors. 

He never returns a call except the first call of a visiting potentate or mem 
ber of a royal family or the executive authority of a foreign Nation or State. 
He can give State dinners and appropriate State social entertainments, but 
cannot accept an invitation in return. He may extend his patronage to suita 
ble occasions of public interest or enterprise. He can invite a person of 
suitable official or social prominence or a personal friend to dine with him, but 
cannot accept an invitation to dine in return. His presence at ihe residence 
of a member of his own cabinet to dinner is optional though exceptional, and 



4 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

as an individual only and never as THE PRESIDENT. At the capital as far as 
his freedom of intercourse with persons in official or social life is concerned, 
he is practically a prisoner of the State in the Ionic edifice set apart by statute 
for his occupancy during the period of his official term. Away from the 
capital he may be the guest of a State, municipality or private individual. 

In conversation he is always addressed "Mr. President." In writing 
officially he is always addressed THE PRESIDENT. In the formal salutation 
or superscription of communications from the chiefs of the great Executive 
Departments, the presiding officers or chairmen of committees of Congress or 
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court he is always addressed by his con 
stitutional title "To The President." In every respect the identity of his 
individuality in private life is lost in the environments of his official character. 
Even in the informal relations of personal friends he is properly &lt;: Mr. Presi 
dent," and any other form is presumptuous. To members of his own family in 
conversation with others he is "The President." In purely personal commu 
nications from previously known friends and whose close acquaintance might 
pardon an evasion of the accepted and judicious forms, he is addressed in 
writing by his name simply without prefix or suffix of title. He is neither an 
Honorable nor an Esquire, which are subordinate titles, nor a plain Mr. He 
is id. ntlned by the Constitution as THE PRESIDENT and nothing else. When 
he ceases to be President the title passes to his successor. He is then ad 
dressed by the title belonging to the highest rank he held in private life. 

The proprieties of rank, seclusion from obtrusive curiosity, the accommo 
dation of public business, the transaction of the affairs of state, and protection 
against unnecessary and untimely personal visits regardless of the personal 
convenience of The President, or public interests requiring his constant 
and vigilant attention, have sagaciously established the code governing the 
official and social routine of the Executive mansion. 

The salary of The President, which is $50,000, applies simply to his do 
mestic wants and personal servants. He is entitled by statute &lt;! to the use 
of the furniture and other effects belonging to the United States and kept in 
the Executive mansion " for his official term. An annual appropriation for 
the care and repair of the mansion supplies all expenditures on account of 
its public uses. A specific appropriation usually at the beginning of each ad 
ministration, is placed at the disposal of The President for refurnishing the 
building to suit the tastes of the new occupant. 

The twenty-fourth quadrennial shake-up of the political forces of the Union 
brought to the chief place of executive authority a man unknown to national 
affairs. He was the man of destiny in the rehabilitation of a political organ 
ization, which, after six decades of almost uninterrupted control, was hurled 



THE PRESIDENT. 5 

from power through the arrogance and folly of its leaders, and the retro 
gressive tendencies of its doctrines. With no policy but that of expediency, 
after resorting to intrigue and arms to rend assunder the ligatures of the 
national compact, it audaciously tried to ride back into executive pre-eminence 
upon the negative generalship of McClellan, it attempted to rally upon the 
Bourbonism of Seymour, it planted itself on the fable of the monkey and the 
chestnuts with Greeley, it ran after the flesh-pots of anti-bellum issues on 
Tilden, it stultified the record in a last essay on the sectional glory of Gettys 
burg, through Hancock, with equal misfortune. It triumphed after twenty- 
four years of repudiation by the people, under the leadership of a man whose 
chief strength was his individuality, and his strongest claim that he was not 
identified with the history, traditions, antecedents, nor the politics of his party. 

The transitions of his career were marvelous. An obscure post hamlet, 
Caldwell, of New Jersey, gave him a birth place, a district school and academy 
unknown beyond the limited periphery of a local reputation, gave him a rudi 
mentary education. Manhood found him in a desperate struggle with the 
waywardness of fortune for a bare living for himself, and a sparse surplus for 
the care and comfort of a dependent mother. The county of Erie made him 
its sheriff, the muncipality of Buffalo made him its mayor, the Commonwealth 
of New York made him her Governor, and the United States their President. 
In the mutations of time, thirty- three years to the sherivalty, eleven years to 
the mayoralty, two years to the gubernatorial seat, and one year to the 
Presidency. 

Dotted along the highway of two centuries are the footprints of six gener 
ations of his ancestors. Moses Cleveland, an Englishman, planted the seed 
of the stock at Wobun,.in the colony of Massachusetts. Aaron, a grandson, 
a minister of the Church of England, in charge of a mission of the Society 
for the propagation of the Gospel, died at the house of Benjamin Franklin, at 
Philadelphia, in 1757. A great grandson Aaron, a hatmaker, of Norwich, 
a member of the Connecticut Legislature, introduced a bill for the abolition of 
slavery and closed his mundane career in 1815, as a Congregational minister, at 
New Haven. William, a great, great grandson, watchmaker and silversmith, 
of Norwich, added a three times great grandson, Richard, to his family in 
1805. Richard Cleveland completed his equipment for the duties of life as a 
graduate of Yale, and theologian of Princeton. Between those two epochs he 
met Anne Neale, of Baltimore, who became his wife in 1829, and the mother 
of Grover Cleveland in 1837. 

Without fame to preceed him, Grover Cleveland came into office with his 
public career before him. The eclat of military renown made Washington, 
Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Pierce, Grant, Hayes, and Garfield, the choice of 



6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the people. The premiership furnished the culminating civic distinction which 
raised Adams, the elder, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, the younger, 
Van Buren, and Buchanan to the chief place. Political upheavals gave the 
nation Polk, Lincoln, and Cleveland. The Vice Presidency produced that 
quartette of political non-entities, Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, and Arthur. 

Confronted by the worst elements in American politics, Grover Cleveland 
as President, has been a public benefactor. Through the conservatism of his 
policy, and the establishment of confidence in his administration, he has reju 
venated a political party, which sustains the equipoise of national political sen 
timent by ignoring the clamor of the political roues who have survived the 
obliteration of the old regime, and by bringing to the front better elements fjr 
the work of the future. His sincerity has been demonstrated in his efforts to 
carry out the pledges of the platform upon which he was chosen, despite 
hypocritical intrigue and opposition. His course has exemplified a statesman 
impelled to action by a conscientious interpretation of right and duty uncir- 
cumscribed by the resolutions of 1798, and the obsolete and exploded heresies 
of a quarter of a century and more ago, and by tali ing advanced grounds on 
what is called Democratic doctrine, to meet the requirements of public senti 
ment and administration of the day. 

Turning from public affairs into the official life of the President, his great 
duties make him a man of routine. The supremacy of his rank, the absolute 
ness of his power, the show of his official and social environments do not 
exempt him from care, anxiety, responsibility and drudgery. His busy life 
is daily the same. At eight o clock in the morning he is at his mail and 
papers, while awaiting breakfast. After breakfast he is in his office until 
noon, receiving those entitled to see him on official business, or by appoint 
ment On Tuesdays and Thursdays, at noon, he meets the members of his 
Cabinet on affairs in their respective departmen s, and consults them upon 
general questions of administration. On other secular days, suiting his con 
venience, in the East Room, he receives persons calling "to pay respects." 
After lunch he returns to the library, where he applies himself to matters of 
legislation submitted for his approval, examination of papers relating to for 
eign affairs, administration and the higher appointments, or preparing state 
papers issued in his own name. At half past four a drive of an hour or t\vo 
with his wife, or his private secretary, is his sole recreation. After dinner he 
is again in the library where he remains examining papers, or writing per 
sonal letters, carrying his labors hard up to the hour of midnight, and oftener 
into the hours of the morning. 

In his personal characteristics the President is conspicuously a man of 
strong convictions, indomitable industry, and fearlessness of purpose. lie is 



THE PRESIDENT. 7 

naturally affable and disposed to pleasantry among unofficial callers. To 
wards members of his Cabinet, Senators and Representatives, and officials 
summoned on business he is reserved, but an earnest and attentive listener. 
He is a ready conversationalist when he chooses to be, but his anxiety for 
information causes him to waive that mode of relief from the wearying monot 
ony of questions of state, politics and patronage. He is much given to going 
into details which others would entrust to subordinates. He reaches his con 
clusions by the tedious process of personal inquiry. This is the growth of 
professional habit. He has clear ideas upon all questions and is a ready and 
rapid writer. He takes a statesmanlike view of public questions, and is less a 
partisan than the majority of his predecessors. He accomplishes the same 
ends by less offensive methods. His integrity is best illustrated by his reso 
lute determination to adhere to the pledges of the platform upon which he 
was elected. He does more work in a day than any person undei the govern 
ment. 

The "Official Household of The President," so known by specific statutory 
enactment as to name and personnel, consists of the Private Secretaries, the 
Steward of the Household, and persons of the unofficial staff of the Execu 
tive establishment. An army officer, the engineer in charge of Public Build 
ings and Grounds, is in charge of the mansion. He also performs such other 
duties as may be required of him by The President upon occasions of official 
or social ceremonials. There are also doorkeepers acting as ushers and to do 
duty during official hours, or on state or social cccasions. There is also a 
suitable detail of metropolitans for guarding the approaches and the mansion, 
day and night, against the presence of intruders, or suspicious characters and 
for the protection of the person of The President against intrusion. 

The Private Secretary to the President represents the official personality ol 
that high functionary. He has no authority or place of precedence by virtue 
of his office, but as the reflex of that pre-eminent personality, by direction of 
his principal, he is technically as supreme as the President himself. He stands 
between the President and the outer world. He conveys his personal orders, 
directs the clerical duties of the executive office, and relieves him of unneces 
sary and petty personal details which otherwise would break in upon his time 
and attention. 

Private Secretary Daniel Scott Lament, who performs these delicate inter 
mediary functions, is the son of a country merchant of Cortlandville, the seat 
of justice of Cortland county, in the very center of New York, where he was 
born in 1851. Herounded offthe educational period of his life at Union Col 
lege Soon after, through the precocity of his political skill, he secured the 
post of deputy clerk of the New York Assembly. After three years school- 



8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ing in that nursery of state politic-, he became chief clerk of the department of 
State of New York, where he added three years more to his stock of training 
in Empire State politics. It was while serving in this position, under John 
Bigelow, that that astute political leader and statesman, Samuel J. Tilden, 
showed his appreciation of the talents of the young Cortland county politician 
by making him Secretary to the State Democratic Executive Committee in 
1875. He continued in the performance of these duties through the stirring 
National and State campaigns of the next eight years. During all that period 
he was closely associated with Mr. Tilden in the management of state politics, 
and possibly to-day more closely represents his methods than any other pei- 
son. With politics he combined journalism, and for some years was manage- 
ing editor, and is still one of the owners of the Albany Argus, the organ of 
the Democratic party in the State. 

When Mr. Cleveland became Governor of New York, he availed himself of 
Mr. Lament s political experience, by tendering him the post of Private Sec 
retary and also Military Secretary, with the rank of Colonel, by which title he 
is now commonly addressed. When the State Executive of New York be 
came the National Executive of the United States, he carried his trusted Sec 
retary up with him by tendering him the same civil position in his official 
household at Washington. 

Since Major Tobias Lear was Private Secretary to President Washington, 
no one has been more distinctively a part of the official and unofficial life of 
any President than has been Colonel Lamont in the relation of Private Sec 
retary to President Cleveland. He is nearer to the person of the President 
than any one outside of the immediate family. He has the President s ear at 
all times, and is the on!y one except Mrs. Cleveland who accompanies him 
in his drives, or attends him in other recreations during moments of leisure 
from official cares. 

This remarkable young man, is short in stature and slight in build, with a 
keen grey eye, and a firmly set mouth overhung by a wiry auburn moustache. 
He tips the balance at one hundred and thirty pounds. He unites with a 
thorough knowledge of men, quick preceptions, a wonderful memory for 
names and details, and promptness in action. His integrity and loyalty ate 
the strong points of his character. 

The Assistant Private Secretary O. L. Pruden, has charge of the legisla 
tive and executive business passing between the President and Congress, 
delivers all " messages of the President in writing " in ceremonial form to the 
Senate or House of Representatives, and issues invitations to guests, official 
and unofficial, at state or social entertainments. He came to Washington in 
1862 as a private in the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, and served two 



THE PRESIDENT. 9 

years in ihe field. In the Summer of 1864 he assisted in organizing the first 
Regiment of U. S. colored troops In this work his abilities having attracted 
atttention, he was discharged from the military service to enable him to accept a 
civil appointment in that Department. In i873he received a permanent assign 
ment, by order of President Grant, to one of the important clerkships cf the 
executive office. At the beginning of President Hayes administration he was 
made Assistant Private Secretary, which place he has held ever since. 

Though not a member of the official Household of the President, Colonel John 
M. Wilson, U. S. Engineers, in charge of public buildings and grounds, who has 
custody of the executive mansion, also performs the important ceremonial duty 
of presentation to The President, of guests on public state, or cermonial occa 
sions. He entered the army from the Military Academy in 1 860, as a lieutenant 
in the Second U. S. artillery and participated in the Manassas campaign cul 
minating in the battle of Bull Run. He took part in all the battles on the Vir 
ginia Peninsula in the summer of 1862, being brevetted captain at Games Mill 
and Major at Malvern Hill. Later assigned to the corps of engineers he served 
in the Maryland campaign of South Mountain and Antietam and subsequently 
superintended the construction of the defenses of Harper s Ferry, Baltimore, 
Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez. He was again distinguished in the cam 
paign against Mobile, being engaged in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, 
for which he wis brevetted Colonel of Volunteers and Lieutenant Colonel U. S. 
A. He also took part in the storming of Blakely and the occupation of Mobile. 

Colonel Wilson is one of the most accomplished officers in the army. 
Whether serving with his battery, or doing engineer duty in the field, his ser 
vices were always of the highest order. As the officer of ceremonies he 
handles the throng ot statesmen, officials, jurists, and military and n^val offi 
cers, and their ladies, and the people who crowd into the Executive Mansion 
during the President s receptions, with remarkable skill, celerity and courtli 
ness of manner. He has presented as many as fifteen hundred to two thous 
and persons 1o the President by name in a single hour. 

In these ceremonial duties Colonel Wilson is assisted by First Lieutenant 
William P. Duvall, Fifth U. S. artillery, who makes the presentations to Mrs. 
Cleveland. Lieutenant Duvall, who is of a Maryland family, has a fine, sol 
dierly bearing and address. He entered the army from the military acad 
emy in 1869, and after two years service with his regiment, at Fort Adams, 
Newport, R. I., took a higher course of artillery at the U. S. Artillery School 
Fortress Monroe, Va. He was on duty as Instructor of Mathematics at the 
U. S. Military Academy, at West Point, for seven years, served with his reg 
iment at McPherson Barracks, Atlanta, Ga., was assigned to the Pennsylva 
nia Military Academy, as Military Instructor, and since has been on duty in 
the Adjutant General s office, Washington. 



SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 



"oTTB, ^ 

IVSRSin 

CHAPTER III. 
pfJ^U THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. 

THh |-!R&gt;T I.AIiY 01 ! HK LAND IIK.K SOCIAL PREROGATIVES AND PRE 
EMINENCE THE WEDDING AT THE WHITE HOUSE MRS. CLEVELAND 
HER TRIUMPHS AS PRESIDING LADY CEREMONIAL AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS 
DOMESTIC LIFE AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION WHITE HOUSE GUESTS 
MISS CLEVELAND MRS. HOYT MRS. FOLSOM OAK VIEW MRS. LAMONT. 



HE wife of The President, or the Presiding Lady of his household, is en 
titled to the same prerogatives of rank as the President. She bears 
the same relations to the social autonomy of the Executive mansion 
as the President does to the official superstructure of the Government. He 
holds supreme official rank as The President. She occup.es the supreme 
place in the social world as the First Lady of the Land. In this relation she 
never returns a call, although she enjoys socially greater latitude of individual 
freedom than The President. She gives informal social entertainments, to 
which she may invite ladies of suitable rank in official or social life. She holds 
"Drawing Rooms" in her character as Presiding Lady of the mansion, open 
to all, and may hold informal receptions for the gratification of strangers in the 
city. She may set apart an hour during the day or evening for an At home " 
to personal lady acquaintances and their friends accompanied by gentlemen. 
She may give social entertainments to ladies of her acquaintance by invitation. 
She can appear as a piivate lady at a special entertainment of a lady friend, and 
may give her patronage to suitable public enterprises of ladies in the interests 
of charity. She may with propriety entertain visiting lady guests residing in the 
mansion as part of the fan.ily for the time being of the Executive household. 
She is properly addressed by her husband s surname. 

The first fashionable season of the new administration had passed when the 
young and beautiful daughter of Oscar Folsom, of Buffalo, the friend and bus 
iness associate of Grover Cleveland, on the second day of June, 1886, in the 
Executive Mansion, became the bride of the twenty-second President of the 
United States. She was but twenty-two years of age, and the youngest of 
the entire line of her predecessors to preside over the households of the Presi 
dents as wife. That honor was previously enjoyed by Julia Gardiner, of New 
York, who was twenty-three when she became the second wife of President John 
Tyler. A honeymoon amid the picturesque crests of the Alleghenies, a wedding 
reception at the White House, and a solstice holiday jaunt in the cool altitudes 
of the Adirondacks occupied the next three months. Returning to the capi 
tal the President again buried himself in the perplexing cares of government, 



THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. II 

while the bride- wife, duly installed as the qtieen of the social realm, arranged 
the intricate details of the State and social entertainments which were to char 
acterize the first season at the Executive Mansion under her regime. 

As a maiden, Frances Folsom Cleveland had had no experience in the con 
ventionalities and duties of ordinary social life beyond that of any other 
young unmarried lady not long out of her teens. The past season was there 
fore not only her debut in the social sphere as wife, but in the more exact 
ing place of First Lady of the Land. It was for her a brilliant triumph. The 
jouthful innocence and ardor of her life, her beauty of form and features, the 
simple elegance of her toilets, her heroic persistence in standing at her post 
even after the conventional limits of her Drawing Rooms had expired, so that 
none should be disappointed, the unaffected sunshine of her manner towards 
her personal friends, her queenly grace and gentleness during the rigorous 
ettiquete of State cccasions, carried fashionable life by storm. The social 
environments of no President have ever been more attractive, and at the same 
time mindful of the proprieties of the place. His young wife has added vastly 
to the popularity of his administration among all classes of official and social 
life, and strangers at the capital. 

In the beginning of the season, when the programme of social entertain 
ments at the Executive Mansion was under consideration, it was found neces 
sary to draw the line somewhere in order to avoid the jealousies and intrigues 
which had made some former seasons very unsatisfactory. With the approba 
tion of the President, it was arranged that the receiving party with Mrs. 
Cleveland at the receptions of the President should be limited to the ladies of 
the Cabinet, and the lady guests of the President s household. The receiving 
party with Mrs. Cleveland at her drawing rooms were lestticted to the ladies 
of the Cabinet and their daughters, and the wives of the President pro km. 
cf the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. State din 
ners, embracing the Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Supreme Court, 
included outside of those circles two or three Senators and Representatives of 
appropiiate committees of Congress, the General of the Army, the senior chief 
of the Naval Bureaus and guests from outside of the city, the official position 
and not the individual determining the question of recognition in state enter 
tainments. The guests at the elegant luncheons given by Mrs. Cleveland to 
her lady friends were invited in the same way. 

Another source of great popularity was the informal receptions given by 
Mrs. Cleveland at noon on certain days for an hour to strangers in the city. 
This was an innovation upon the customs of former social regimes which cap 
tured the transient public traveling for pleasure, and sent many strangers in 
the city back to their homes to enthusiastically circulate the praises of the 



12 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

young, beautiful and winning wife of the President. From a social stand 
point the administration after the first gay season would be vo.ed another term 
by an overwhelming majority. 

The informal and responsive manner in which Mrs. Cleveland always re 
ceived her guests, invariably made a lasting impression upon those who en 
joyed a glance of her laughing eye, her winning smile, and half-way advanc 
ing greeting. The geniality of the ensemble of her mode of welcoming her 
guests, won for it the playful characterization of " The Mrs. Cleveland Shake. 
It was original, graceful, cordial and captivating. Each guest during recep 
tions entering from the Red Room into the audience parlor was met by a 
quick glance, a half step forward, a cordial extending of the hand, a slight in 
clination of the body and queenly pose of the head, a word of welcome and a 
receding to original position. 

In her personal intercourse with the outer world, Mrs. Cleveland has con 
formed her own actions to the rule the President applied to himself, of never 
going out except to the houses of members of the Cabinet, and even making 
that an exception rather than a rule. This at once closed the door to all jeal 
ousies and rivalries which disturbed many former administrations. The tact 
and discretion shown in her ceremonial, social, or even informal relations with 
members of official or fashionable life at the entertainments of the Executive 
Mansion, has been remarkable. She is quick and sparkling as a conversa 
tionalist, and yet preserves that mastery of her words and presence of mind in 
advancing or receiving suitable subjects of conversation, which is a happy 
gift for one in her place, where every utterance is weighed and commented 
upon. Those coming in contact with her socially are soon put at ease. She 
talks freely and with youthful vivacity, and listens earnestly and with manifest 
interest to all that is being said lo her. She is ever considerate of the feel 
ings and comfort of others. With a finished education, she combines many 
accomplishments, among these a knowledge of French and German, which 
she often finds of great convenience, and a strong point of attraction to the 
members of the Diplomatic Corps and their ladies, and foreign visitors, on 
occasions of their presence at the Executive Mansion. She is not only a studious 
reader of standard books in her native tongue, but also in French and Ger 
man. She keeps up with current affairs, literature, politics, and news by the 
reading daily newspapers, the leading American magazines, and illustrated 
London papers. 

The last of the ladies in the mutations of time and politics to preside over 
the social regime of the household of the President, is one of the most 
remarkable women who has ever filled that exalted place, and is an honor to 
the nobility and adaptibility of American womanhood of the present genera- 



THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. 13 

lion. It speaks well for free institutions and the daughters of America, that 
the growth of a single century of practical experiment has produced a woman 
of youth and inexperience who from the ordinary walks of life can be lifted in 
a day to the very pinnacle of rank, and acquit herself as she has done. In 
composure, dignity, and grace, she stands on an equality with the many cele 
brated women, trained in the school of official life, and often in the whirl of 
court life at the capitals of foreign nations, who have filled the same social 
sphere which she now occupies. There can be no fear for a nation when the 
people furnish the queens to reign in the social realm of the sovereign power 
under the Constitution. 

The domestic life of the President is simple. He entertains an instinctive 
antagonism towards display and goes through the social round of his station 
from a sense of duty. His habits in his private household conform to the 
painstaking daily routine of his official life. He rises between seven and eight, 
a. m., when he wiles away the time until breakfast with his mail. lie eats 
his morning meal in the private dining rcom with Mrs. Cleveland and guests 
of the family at nine, a. m., but leaves as soon as he has finished taking 
about a half an hour and goes at once to his office and begins the work of 
the day, generally examining papers or writing letters until ten, a. m. He 
then gives two hours and a half, except on Cabinet days, Saturdays and Sun 
days, to officials, Senators and Representatives, and others by card. Then 
follows a visit to the East Room, except on Cabinet days and Saturdays, to 
receive the assembled callers, usually strangers in the city, frequently three 
or four hundred persons. Lunch at 1.30, p. m., takes about fifteen minutes. 
He then returns to his office, working with unabated zeal until 4, at which 
hour he takes a drive with his private Secretary, returning in time for dinner 
at 7 p. m. The dinner is informal as to dress unless guests are present. 
\Vine is never served except when guests accustomed to its use are at the 
table. The family dinner rarely exceeds an hour in duration. The President, 
who never smokes in his office, and gentlemen guests retire to the corridor 
adjoining the Library up stairs, to enjoy a single cigar. After a few minutes 
conversation with Mrs. Cleveland and guests, he usually returns to the Li 
brary, giving four or five hours to his work before retiring. Six or seven 
hours sleep is his usual modicum of nature s sweet restorer. 

There is a domestic phase to the President s character, which has been much 
misunderstood, although illustrated from his earliest boyhood in his loyalty 
to home ties. Though but sixteen years of age when his father died, his con 
stant thoughts during his early struggles in life were upon the comfort of his 
widowed mother in her home at Holland Patent, and he never failed to con 
tribute towards her support even from the meagerness of the rewards of his 



14 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

labor. A library Donated in memory of Mrs. Anne Cleveland by her chil 
dren," was contributed by him in execution. of her wish before her death to 
do something as a m irk of appreciation of the kindness of the villagers of 
Holland Patent in her days of grief and despair. 

The official, social, and domestic economy f the Executive establishment 
of this mighty cluster of State sovereignties represents three distinct spheres 
of importance and activity. The President manages the administrative affairs 
of the Nation in the suite of apartments for official use in the East end of the 
mansion, on the second floor. A corridor draws the line of demarcatijn be 
tween the public and the private portions of the building where Mrs. Cleve 
land holds sway. The sumptuous parlors and drawing-rooms below repre 
sent the ceremonial and social life which respond to occasions of State or 
etiquette, in levees, audiences of diplomats, drawing-rooms, public receptions, 
and informal calls of friends. In the subterranean seclusion of the domestic 
offices the Steward of the Household, William T. Sinclair, of Buffalo, the Chef 
Constant Perin, the hero of the Cuisines cf the Cafe Rich and Hotel du 
Rhin, Paris, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn clubs, and the Florist, Henry 
Pfister, a graduate of the conservatories of Recheberg, the palace of an opu 
lent Swiss banker of Zurich, materialize the elements of happiness in the 
family household, and arrange the triumphs of official dining, and State gath 
erings. 

The gastronomic economy of the Executive mansion in the diurnal revolu 
tions of that portion of the earth s surface over which the President of the 
United States presides representing the three epochs: Breakfast at 9, a. m., 
luncheon at 1.30, and dinner at 7, p. m., begins the day with a breakfast 
of three dishes, fish, a steak and eggs with coffee; divides the day with a 
luncheon of cold meats and broiled small feathered game in season and makes 
its great achievement at the family dinner oysters, raw, a soup, fish, an en 
tree, perhaps a sweet-bread, a releve, a roast and vegetables, terrapin, an ea- 
tremet sucre, perhaps a pudding or a jelly, pastry, ice cream, nuts, fruit, and 
coffee. 

If people think that the President is not sociable in his official prison life in 
the "White House, they do not know him. He is warm-hearted and compan 
ionable in his hours of leisure from the routine of his high place. He is fond 
of his friends, and always has a great deal of company. As a bachelor, a 
friend or two at dinner was a regular occurrence, to which he now adds the 
friends of Mrs. Cleveland. The President is also a good liver. His greatest 
fondness is for game in season. 

Among the guests of the Executive Mansion during the past winter were 
Mrs. Mary Cleveland Hoyt, the President s second, and Miss Rose Elizabeth 



THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. 15 

Cleveland, his youngest sisters. Mrs. Hoyt there being but two years differ 
ence in their ages she being the elder, was more associated with the boy 
hood of the President than any of the other members of the family. When 
Rev. Richard Cleveland removed to Holland Patent, X. Y., to assume the 
Presbyterian pastorate, of that place in September, 1853, Mary Cleveland was 
to be married the following month to \V. E. Hoyt, now cashier of the Fay- 
etteville Bank. Grover Cleveland, then a boy of sixteen, one morning started 
in a carriage with his sister to drive to Utica, fifteen miles distant, where she 
wished to make some purchases for her wedding trousseau, \\hile awaiting 
her in her shopping he was overcome with sorrow by the announcement on 
the street that his father had died suddenly. The grief-stricken sister and 
brother hastened back to the afflicted household at Holland Patent. Mrs. 
Cleveland died just before the election of her son to the governorship. When 
Grover Cleveland became Governor of New York he invited Mrs. Hoyt to 
preside over his bachelor household. She complied with his request, and 
spent most of her time with him at Albany. She would have come with him 
to Washington when he became President, but for the distance between the 
capital and her own home, at Fayettevilie. For three weeks immediately after 
his inauguration she remained with him organizing his household. She was 
very popular, and her inability to remain was greatly regretted by those who 
had met her. 

Miss Cleveland also spent some clays at the Executive Mansion. During 
the fourteen months of her reign as presiding lady of the domestic household 
of the President before his marriage, she made many friends, and her pres 
ence was the occasion of a series of appropriate social entertainments at the 
White House and among society people. Her varied intellectual activities 
since she handed over the high social honors she enjoyed to the young wife of 
the President, have kept her from falling back into the great mass of humanity, 
the common fate of those who shine in the reflected light of accidental pre em 
inence. She is a woman of individuality, force, and restless energy, with a 
radicalism of opinion backed by unbounded courage of utterance. 

The death of her father in 1853, when she was but seven years of age, leav 
ing her mother in the usual indigence of a rural pastor s widow, drew out in 
her that characteristic of the Cleveland family, a strong sense of filial duty. 
The emergencies which overcame the household aroused her ambition. Four 
years of her life as student and teacher at Houghton Seminary, lady Principal 
at the Collegiate Institute, of Lafayette, Indiana, and teacher in a private 
school at Lebanon, Pa., gave her the necessary intellectual training for the 
lecture field, which she was about to enter, when the logic of events carried 
her brother into the gubernatorial chair of New York, and a year after into 



1 6 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

the Chief Magistrate s seat of the Republic, and herself to the highest place of 
social prominence at Albany, where she often relieved her elder sister, Mrs. 
Hoyt, and at Washington, Since her retirement from these spheres of official 
and social life, she has made her own personality felt in the walks of literature. 
Out of the harvest of her success she has made the homestead at Holland Pat 
ent her own, and though not her birthplace, has surrounded herself and her 
life work with the endearing memories of the last days of her aged mother. 

With Mrs. Cleveland a great source of delight is to give pleasure to others, 
not only to her newly-made acquaintances in Washington, but to friends held 
by the close associations of school days and maidenhood. The President, 
in the midst of his manifold official duties, has been equally thoughtful of those 
who, in the ordinary walks of life in former days, were more closely associated 
with him in business relations or friendship. 

The presence of such guests was among the happy incidents in the life of 
the Executive household during the past winter. Of these were Mrs. George 
J. Sicard, of Buffalo, wife of the President s former law partner, and Mrs. 
Charles W. Goodyear, wife of one of the President s Buffalo friends and later 
a member of the Cleveland firm. Both ladies were accompanied by their hus 
bands. At several of the drawing rooms ot Mrs. Cleveland at the height of 
the season these ladies, who were guests at the same time, were in the receiv 
ing party and attracted great attention. The elegance of their toilettes, their 
beauty and grace of manner were themes of pleasant comment in the whirl of 
fashionable life which gathered at the White House on social occasions or in 
the circles of private life. Mrs. Goodyear, a woman of rare symmetry of fig 
ure, was one of the group of feminine beauties of the season. 

Mrs. Cleveland s personal guests during the winter were Miss Virginia 
Kingsford, an exceedingly charming young lady, daughter of Thomas Kings- 
ford, of Oswego, the great starch manufacturer. She was Mrs, Cleveland s 
class and room mate at Wells College for four years ; Miss Natalie Sternberg, 
of Buffalo, an intimate friend from girlhood; Miss Ida Gregg, also of Buffalo, 
daughter of a prominent physician, another close friend, and Miss Carlton 
Rogers Jewett, a friend from childhood, wife of a well-known physician of 
Buffalo, and daughter of N. Holland, a lumber merchant. 

An interesting feature of the surroundings of the Executive household is the 
social circle in which the mother of Mrs. Cleveland is the central figure. The 
solicitude of the President for the comfort and happiness of this charming lady 
in a home where she might feel independent inspired the purchase and mod 
ernization of the old farm-house on the Tennallytown road. 

"Oak View," the country seat of the President, occupies a conspicuous 
elevation between two and three miles north-west of the city, and commands 



THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. 1 7 

a sweep of vision which embraces the picturesque regions of Rock Creek, the 
capita), wiih glimpses here and there of the bright surface of the Potomac, 
and the hills of Virginia beyond. The changes from the old time stone coun 
try house were radical enough to give the ancient structure quite a striking 
appearance. The eighteen rooms and wide halls within, were also improved. 
A reception room, parlors, library, a study, dining-hall and kitchen occupy 
the first floor, three sleeping apartments with dressing-rooms are on the floor 
above, and four spacious chambers in the attic. 

The household of "Oak View" consists of Mrs. Folsom and her niece, 
May Huddleston, and servants. The President and Mrs. Cleveland were 
almost daily visitors, sometimes returning to the White House for dinner, and 
often remaining all night. Mrs. Emma Folsom, whose father was Elisha 
Harman, and mother as a maiden, Ruth Rogers, was born at Wheatland, 
New York. She became the bride of Oscar Folsom in 1863, or six years be- 
lore the formation of the law firm of Lanning, Cleveland & Folsom. Mr. 
Folsom was killed by being thrown from a carriage about 1875. Mrs. Fol 
som is of middle age and remarkably well preserved. She has a smiling 
countenance and intensely bright black eyes. She is not as tall as her daugh 
ter, but of rounder form. She would not betaken for the mother of Mrs. 
Cleveland as their resemblance is not even remotely striking. 

The social life of "Oak View" has since its occupancy by Mrs. Folsom, 
been confined to "Drawing Rooms," from II a. m. to I p. m., on Wednes 
days, upon which occasions large numbers of the official and fashionable cir 
cles gather there to enjoy social intercourse. The President and Mrs. Cleve 
land will pass the summer there, he driving into the city in the morning and 
returning in the evening. 

Mrs. Lamont, the wife of the Private Secretary to the President, is an al 
most daily and always welcome visitor to the Executive Mansion, and is one 
of the most popular ladies in Washington society. She was Julia Kinney, the 
daughter of Orson A. Kinney, a Cortland county farmer. She completed her 
education at the Elmira Female College, and in 1874 became the wife of Daniel 
Lamont, the friend and companion of her childhood and youth, and removed 
to Albany, where her young husband was in the Department of State, a jour 
nalist, and rising politician of the Tilden school. Mrs. Lamont is another 
forcible illustration of the strength and charms of American womanhood. 
She was prominently associated with the social life of the President s house 
hold during the first and second fashionable seasons after his inauguration. 
She frequently assisted Miss Cleveland at her receptions when Presiding 
lady, and is now the most favored lady friend of Mrs. Cleveland She is 
a person of average height, and very prepossessing. She is a fine conver- 
2 



1 8 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

sationalist, and is always well-informed on current affairs of official and 
social life. Her "Drawing Rooms " were among the most largely attended 
and attractive of the season. She dresses in excellent taste. Her two beau 
tiful little flaxen-haired daughters, Julia and Bessie, three and five years of 
age respectively, are great favorites with the President. 

Mrs. Lament s mother was Julia Greenman, daughter of Homer Green- 
man, of Block Island, off Rhode Island, who early in the century drove with 
all his possessions in a wagon to Cortland county, where he was one of tlie 
first settlers, and a man of influence and importance. 




FOUNDING A SOCIAL REPUBLIC. 19 

CHAPTER IV. 
FOUNDING A SOCIAL REPUBLIC. 

ANXIETY OF PRESIDENT WASHINGTON TO PROPERLY INAUGURATE THE OFFI 
CIAL AND SOCIAL AUTONOMY OF THE GOVERNMENT THK PEOPLE UNAC 
CUSTOMED TO THE CONVENTIONALITIES OF CEREMONIAL I.\T ERCOURSE 
THK FIRST PRESIDENT PROPOUNDS CERTAIN QUERIES ON PROPRIETY AND 
ETIQUETTE JOHN ADAMS, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JOHN JAY, AND JAMES 
MADISON INVITED TO RESPOND THEIR VIEWS THE ADOPTION OF A SYS 
TEM OF OFFICIAL AND SOCIAL ETIQUETTE PRESIDENT JEFFERSON FORM 
ULATES A COMMUNISTIC CODE OF MANNERS RETURN TO THE OLD SYS 
TEM WASHINGTON OFFICIAL AND SOCIAL USAGES THE GROWTH OF A 
CENTURY. 

i~^ 

HE social usages of Washington not only had their origin in the incep 
tive movements of the new order of things at the capital, then New York, 
but were an essential part of the administrative methods necessary to the 
execution of the provisions of the new Constitution and the statutory enactments 
cf the first and succeeding Congresses. When General Washington assum 
ed the reins of government as President in April, 1789, he found himself more 
embarrassed by the social than by the official questions involved in the exercise 
of the supreme functions of his office. He felt that the eyes not only of his fel 
low-citizens, but of the civilized world were upon him, and therefore, in 
launching the new ship of State, the elevation of the Chief Executive power of 
the nation to a high plane of authority and dignity was to him of paramount 
importance. 

Under such circumstances the position of Washington was one of extreme 
delicacy. The social status of the Presidential office and therefore of the 
whole descending scale of official life was without rule or precedent. The pec- 
pie were unaccustomed to the conventionalities of official station. They were 
without that experience in the common law of higher social proprieties which 
would have greatly relieved the President in the performance of his arduous 
and grave duties. As an instance of the absence of all ceremony in the attain 
ment of personal ends, it is related by Washington himself that his house was 
thronged day and night with people making calls of etiquette or in pursuit of 
office. The eager crowds torced their way into the private apartments of the 
Presiuent. Even Mrs. Washington s bed chamber was not spared from in 
trusion. 

These early experiences satisfied the Chief Magistrate that without a defined 
system of social and ceremonial forms adjusted to the requirements of official 
rank and duty, it would be practically impossible to go on in the exercise of 



20 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the functions of government. To increase the embarrassments of his sit 
uation, Congress was slow in making provisions for the details of adminis 
tration. For five months he was left without a Cabinet for counsel or aid. 
Fortunately he had a few friends to whom he could turn for advice. Among 
these were John Adams, Vice President of the United States, Alexander 
Hamilton, who had served on his staff as his confidential aide-de-camp in the 
Revolution and who afterwards became his closest counsellor, as Secretary of 
the Treasury; John Jay, afterwards first Chief Justice of the United States, 
then at the head of the office of Foreign Affairs, and James Madison, a Rep 
resentative in Congress. 

One of the earliest acts of the President was the establishment of the social 
environments and prerogatives of his office as the foundation of the entire 
social superstructure of the government in its relations to the people. In ac 
complishing this important initial step before he had been in office a month, 
Washington prepared a series of queries " which he submitted for replies to 
Vice President Adams, Secretary Jay, General Hamilton, and Representa ive 
Madison, embracing the following points of inquiry : Whether he should ex 
clude himself from all kinds of company; whether one day of the week would 
suffice for visits of compliment; whether it would involve disagreeable con 
sequences for the President to receive persons on business ; whether dinners 
to embrace a small number of official characters, to include in rotation, mem 
bers of Congress, could be given informally on fixed days without clamor from 
the rest; whether it would satisfy the public for the present, to have four great 
entertainments in the year, on the anniversaries of the Declaration of Inde 
pendence, the alliance with France, peace with Great Britain, and organization 
of the General Government; whether it would be improper for the President 
to make informal visits to acquaintances or public characters for sociability; 
how to distinguish him on such occasions in his private character; in what 
light rare appearances at tea parties might be considered, and whether during 
the recess of Congress he should not make a tour of some part of the country 
so as to study its resources and needs, and meet public characters and the 
people. 

As an explanation of his reasons for his communication, the President 
added that many things which appeared of little consequence in themselves 
might have weight as having been established with the commencement of the 
government, and that it would be much easier to begin with a well-adjusted 
system than to correct errors afterwards. As for himself, he added, "the 
President, in all matters of business and etiquette, can have no object but to 
demean himself, in his public character, in such mannei as to maintain the 
dignity of his office without subjecting himself to the imputation of supercilli- 
ousness or unnecessary reserve." 



FOUNDING A SOCIAL REPUBLIC. 21 

It is interesting to note the -views of the distinguished statesmen named 
upon the fundamentary principles proposed for the regulation of intercourse 
between the different branches and officials of the government and the people. 
Vice President Adams, though a Puritan in some things, through his resi 
dence at the polished courts of Europe, had acquired a tenacious regard for the 
forms of social intercourse. He did not believe in promiscuous association 
with all kinds of company, or in total seclusion. The system proposed by 
the President, he thought, would gradually develop itself in practice. In 
view of strangers from the different States, and foreign countries, visiting the 
seat of government, he thought two days a week for visits of compliment 
would be necessary. He favored all personal applications to be first made to 
a Minister of State, but at the same time a personal interview should not be 
rigorously denied in any case worthy of consideration. A gentleman in wait 
ing should judge whom to exclude and whom to admit wuhin fixed hours. 
He conceded the propriety of the President inviting to dinner official charac 
ters, members of Congress, strangers or citizens of distinction in small parties 
without formality. He did not believe in the President giving any formal 
public entertainments, which, he thought, should be done by a Minister of 
State, the President honoring the entertainment in his private character. He 
saw no impropriety in the President s making or receiving informal visits, 
but in no case should a visit be returned in form unless the sovereign of an 
other court should visit the capital. The President s private life should be 
at his own discretion. As President he should have no intercourse with soci 
ety but upon public business, or at his levees. He doubted the expediency 
of public tours about the country. The Vice President favored making the 
President s official household comport with the dignity of the office by the 
appointment of chamberlains, or aides-de-camp, secretaries, masters of cere 
monies, etc., at the expense of the state. The office, he thought, had no 
equal in the world, except the throne of a crowned head, and its surroundings 
should therefore be in keeping. 

In his reply, Hamilton thought that the dignity of the Presidential office 
should be maintained even at the risk of momentary dissatisfaction. He fa 
vored a levee once a week for receiving visits, the President remaining about 
a half an hour. No visits should be returned. He should accept no invita 
tions, but should give formal entertainments, as sugge- ted On levee days 
the President or a gentleman of his household should give informal invitations 
to a dinner of six or eight persons of suitable rank. The heads of depart 
ments should have access on business Ambassadors only, as in Europe, 
should have personal audience on diplomatic questions. Senators should 
have access on matters of public administration, on the ground that the peo- 



22 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

pie should feel satisfied that one class had continued intercourse with the Pres 
ident, which would also be a safeguard against secret combinations. The 
Senate, he claimed, also performed, in connection with the President, certain 
executive functions in matters of treaties and appointments which made them 
his constitutional counselors, and gave them a peculiar claim to the light which 
the Representatives did not possess. 

The reply of Hamilton called forth on the same day a peculiarly affection 
ate acknowledgement, in which Washington begged him to accept his unfeign 
ed thanks, and asked him to give further advice as occasion required, adding: 
"It is my wish to act right. If I err, the head and not the heart shall with 
justice be chargeable." In a letter to Jay submitting his "queries," Wash 
ington said that he wished " to adopt a line of conduct without too much re 
st rve and too much familiarity. To Madison he wrote that he wished "to 
draw a line of conduct to meet approbation and attention to official duties, and 
to avoid the charge of superciliousness." 

The general features of the suggestions submitted were gradually incorpo 
rated into the workings of the government, and laid the foundations of its of 
ficial and social life, which has been maintained without material deviation, 
except during the administration of President Jefferson, down through the 
full century of years which have elapsed since. The President was recogniz 
ed as the supreme head of the official and social superstructure of the govern 
ment. The chiefs of the Executive Departments forming the official suite of 
the President, Vice President, the Chief Justice of the United States, the Sen 
ators, the Associate Justices, the Speaker and members of the House of Rep 
resentatives, and all persons holding offices of Presidential appointment and 
senatorial confirmation formed the official society, the officers of the army, 
navy and marine corps added the pageantry of the presidential surroundings, 
while the fashionable residents and strangers in the city, largely made up of 
the distinguished characters and their ladies, who had figured in the events of 
the revolution and the confederation, completed the circle. The levees, 
drawing rooms, and state dinners which were already familiar occurrences, 
were conducted with republican ease and becoming dignity and decorum. 

When the office of Secretary of State was created, five months after Wash 
ington was inaugurated, and the Primiership of the first administration was be 
stowed upon Thomas Jefferson, that prominent figure in the early parlia 
mentary battles for American liberty was in France. He did not arrive 
in New York to take his place at the head of the cabinet until the following 
March. Jefferson had wandered among the courts of Europe in 1784, as a 
member of a peripatetic Diplomatic mission to negotiate commercial treaties, 
and in 1785 finally established himself at Paris as Minister Plenopotentiary of 



FOUNDING A SOCIAL REPUBLIC. 23 

the infant American Republic. Five years residence near the court of the fes 
tive king Louis, had given the distinguished Virginian ample opportunities to 
&lt;jarner a rich harvest of experience in the social life and manners of the most 
polite capital in the world. The atmosphere of the French court and people 
was peculiarly inspiring to him. At that time France and the Uuited States 
were gushing with international affection, \\hen Jefierson was not playing 
the diplomat, the courtier, or the man of letters, he was writing sentimental 
epistles to his friends at home, overflowing with admiration of France and her 
people. When he appeared, therefore, upon the scene in New York, in 
March, 1790, and took his place as the Premier of the administration, he came 
fresh from the scenes of life at Paris. Retook exception to the forms and 
ceremonies which had already been in vogue nearly a year with eminent sat 
isfaction to all others. The President vindicated the simplicity, convenience 
and proprieties of the forms adopted. When Mrs. Adams inaugurated the 
social regime of the Executive Mansion at Washington, she continued the 
ceremonial forms established by President and Mrs. Washington, at New 
York. But the elevation of Jefferson to the Presidency having given that 
frenchified statesman supreme authority over the regulation of the social sur 
roundings of the Executive, he proceeded to enforce his own notions of official 
and social etiquette, and began by adopting a formally framed code, a compo 
site system, a cross between the equal political and civil rights enunciations 
of his Declaration of Independence and the barricade etiquette of the French 
commune. He undertook to apply the theory of " all men being created 
equal " and therefore " endowed with certain inalienable rights " to the found 
ing ot a social state about the official superstructure of the government, re 
gardless of the customs, usages, and proprieties of good breeding, correct 
principles or authority. The code of etiquette and ceremonies which had been 
successfully launched almost simultaneously with the Constitution was set 
aside. In his social formulary which is endorsed in Jefferson s own hand 
writing "This rough paper contains what was agreed upon" he prescribed 

I. In order to bring the members of society together in the first instance, 
the custom of the country has established that residents shall pay the first visit 
to strangers, and among strangers first comers to later comers, foreign and 
domestic. 

The character of strangers ceases after the first visit. 

To this rule there is a single exception. Foreign Ministers, from the neces 
sity of making themselves known, pay the first visit to Ministers of the nation, 
which is returr.ed. 

II. When brought together in society all are perfectly equal, whether for 
eign or domestic, titled or untitled, in or out of office. 

All other observances are but exemplifications of these two principles. 



24 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

I. The families of Foreign Ministers arriving at the Seat of Government 
receive the first visit from those of the National Ministers, as from all other 
residents. 

The members of the Legislature and of the Judiciary, independent of their 
offices, have a right as strangers to receive the first visit. 

II. No title being admitted here, those of foreigners give no precedence. 
Differences of grade among the Diplomatic members give no precedence. 
At public ceremonies, to which the Government invites the presence of 

Foreign Ministers and their families, a convenient place or station will bepto- 
videcl for them, with any other strangers invited, and the families, of the Na 
tional Ministers, each taking place as they arrive and without any precedence. 

To maintain the principle of equality or pelt mela, and prevent the growth 
of precedence, out of courtesy, the members of the Executive will practice at 
their own houses and recommend an adherence to the ancient usage of the 
country, of gentlemen en masse giving precedence to the ladies en masse, in 
passing from one apartment where they are assembled into another. 

In practice President Jefferson abolished levees but held two receptions a 
year, New Year s and Independence days. Everybody was admitted without 
regard to order of rank or the comfort of the guests, which caused the social 
conditions of the administration to degenerate into mob etiquette. Persons 
were also privileged to call at other times as they pleased. The ladies of the 
administration, disgusted with his performances, tried to restore order, but 
without avail. The President s treatment of their call upon him to expostu 
late was in itself a piece of unworthy rudeness. The anarchy of the Jefferson- 
ian social commune came to a close with his administration. The old order 
of things was restored by the quaker wife of James Madison as soon as she 
became mistress of the Executive Mansion in her own right. The Washing 
ton administration socially represented the stately respectability and propri 
ety of the American continental school. Jefferson s imitated the ultra Jacobin 
ical ideas of the French Revolution. James Monroe was the last of the Pres 
idents who wore the short clothes and dress sword of the Continental fathers, 
and for that reason was called "the last of the cocked hats." During the first 
quarter of the century southern influence was dominant in social affairs. 
There was a small admixture of northern society from the administration of 
the younger Adams down to that of Buchanan, but its influence was unimpor- 
tant. % The election of Abraham Lincoln inaugurated a new regime. The with 
drawal of the southern states from the Union left the official and social life 
of the capital, which had been controlled by the south for sixty years, in the 
exclushe possession of northern people. It was not, however, until the close 
of the rebellion and the accession of General Grant to the Presidency that the 



FOUNDING A SOCIAL REPUBLIC. 25 

society of the capital began to crystalize preparatory to assuming the nation?! 
characteristics which it to-day so fully exemplifies. The reconstruction of the 
Union brought back by degrees a southern representation in social affairs. 
The liberal improvement and beautifying of the city added to the attractions of 
its fashionable life. The social world of the capital to-day, instead of being 
sectional in its influence is national. Distinguished men and women of all 
sections of the country mingle in the polite enjoyments of the gay season, and 
make Washington social life not only a most satisfying experience, but does 
more to cement the Union into one perfect and harmonious whole than could 
be attained by any other means. 

The extraordinary expansion of the circles of official life and increase in the 
numbers of persons of wealth, culture and leisure, have necessitated some 
modification of the original rules of social intercourse. Instead of residents 
paying the first visit as when the number of officials was small and the strang 
ers in the city limited, owing to the inconvenience of old time methods of 
travel, the present rule is for strangers to pay the first visit either in person 
or by card. This is to advise their friends, or those whom they wish to meet, 
of their presence in the city. Residents return the visit in person, or by card, 
within three days if they desire to recognize or keep up the acquaintance. 
This rule applies to persons irrespective of rank in official or social life. 
Among strangers the last to arrive makes the first call. After the exchange 
of first calls the character of strangers ceases and - future social intercourse is 
regulated by the customary conventionalities or as the parties may arrange 
among themselves to suit the degree of acquaintance or interest. These 
fundarnentary rules apply to foreigners or Americans, and to ladies as well as to 
gentlemen. Within each circle of official or military life there exist certain 
relations of etiquette which are governed, however, by the same fundament- 
ary rules as society at large. 




2 6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER V. 
AMERICAN PRECEDENCY AND TITLES. 

A SCALE OF PRECEDENCE NECESSARY TO THE HARMONY OF OFFICIAL AND 
SOCIAL INTERCOURSE THE THEORY OF PRECEDENCY RANK liY AUTHOR 
ITY OF THE CONSTITUTION STATUTORY RANK SUBORDINATE COMMON 
LAW OF PRECEDENCE AMONG MEN AND WOMEN SOME OF THE RECENT 
CONTROYERSIES AT WASHINGTON ON QUESTIONS OF PRECEDENCE CONSTI 
TUTIONAL TITLES THE CONTEST IN THE FIRST CONGRESS OVER 1 HE TI 
TLE OF THE PRESIDENT SETTLED ALL THE REST TITLES OF OFFICIAL 
RANK TITLES BY USAGE FOR WOMEN IN OFFICIAL SOCIETY THEIR USE 
OPTIONAL BUT NOT NECESSARY. 

T is not proposed to enter into a disqu sition upon the subject of prece 
dency among the members of the different branches of the government 
of the United States on occasions of official or social intercourse. 
There has been more or less controversy in certain directions growing out of 
this question ever since the foundation of the government, notwithstanding 
the fact that a scale of dignities has been laid down by constitutional and stat 
utory authority and judicial opinion, and must be conceded as a matter of 
common decency, common politeness, common propriety, common sense, 
good breeding and good society. President Washington recognized an or 
der of precedence as essential to the exercise of authority, and maintenance of 
discipline and harmony in governmental administration and social affairs as 
were the degrees of rank necessary to the command and manoeuvre of armies 
in campaign or in fighting battles. At a semi-official dinner given to Mrs. 
Washington upon her arrival at New York, then the seat of government, soon 
after his inauguration, in accordance with the then experimental rules of cer 
emony adopted, he invited in the order of precedence, the Vice President rep 
resenting the second office under the Constitution, the heads of Departments 
as part of the Executive, foreign ministers as technically guests of the nation, 
two Senators representing the upper and the Speaker representing the lower 
branches of Congress. 

Those who undertake to ignore or underestimate the claims of precedence 
as necessary to harmony in official and social relations simply show their ig 
norance of certain instinctive discriminations incident to every condition of 
the human race. The savages recognize precedence in the leadership con 
ceded to the bravest in battle, or most sagacious in counsel, and to the warriors 
in the degrees of their prowess. In the lower order of civilized life, certain 
characteristics of intellect or physique are conceded certain degrees of consid 
eration. At an ordinary social entertainment veneration for seniority of years 



AMERICAN PRECEDENCY AND TITLES. 2J 

or pre-eminence of abili y, experience or service, involuntarily and instinc 
tively establishes a rule of precedence for the occasion. Therefore to ima 
gine that a tcale of precedence is inconsistent with republican institutions 
simply indicates an oblivity to the common instincts of mankind, whether in 
in the savage, civilized or enlightened state. An American scale of precedency 
ib pre-eminent as compared with the precedency of monarchial institutions 
as it is not based primarily upon decrees or enactments, but upon a patent of 
precedence granted by authority of the suffrages of the sovereign people. 
The enormous growth of the personnel of the government and fashionable life 
at the capital has forced a recognition of some regulation of rank and prece 
dence among men and women to facilitate public business and avoid confusion 
and disagreements in state or social entertainments. 

It was in the reign of King Henry VIII that the English Parliament took 
cognizance of precedence and passed an "act for placing the lords." It re 
lated directly to the great officers of state, but referred incidentally to the 
positions of the nobility in the arrangement of dignities. About two cen 
turies before, an order of all estates of nobles and gentry of England was 
prepared for the purpose of settling interminable disputes as to rank. 

The scale of precedence sustained by royal ordinances and ancient usages 
in England establishes these fundamental rules: 

First. Men of official rank range according to the precedence of that rank. 

Second. Ambassadors yield precedence only to members of the royal family 
of the court to which they are accredited and sons and brothers of crowned 
heads. 

Third. Foreign Ministers, under the terms of the treaty of Vienna, 1815, 
have no real claims to precedence. 

Fourth. Precedence of rank from official appointment emanates from the 
husband, and is enjoyed by the wife. 

The distribution of the functions of government under the Constitution of 
the United States may be said to be symbolic of the personality of the same 
arrangement of powers under the organic forms of the Government of Great 
Britain. The Constitution is the source of all power and precedence in the 
United States. 

The constitutional officers of the United States are those specifically desig 
nated by name in the Constitution. These are, 

1. The President. The constitutional chief offic-.r of the first of the three 
coordinate branches of the Government. 

2. 77ie Vice- President. The constitutional heir presumptive to the Presi 
dency, and the constitutional President ot the Senate, the upper body of Con 
gress, the second coordinate branch of the Government. 



28 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The President pro tern, of tka Senate. The constitut onal presiding officer 
of that body when there is a vacancy in the Vice- Presidency, and when per 
forming the duties of the office. 

3. The Chief Justice of the United States. The constitutional head of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, the highest judicial tribunal of the third 
coordinate branch of the Government. 

4. The Senators. The constitutional advisers of the President in conferring 
official rank and authority upon individuals who represent the personnel of the 
administrative departments of the Executive, and in conferring judicial rank 
upon members of the judicial branches of the Government, and also exercising 
the power of ratification of all treaties and questions of diplomatic negotiation 
with foreign nations. 

5. The Speaker. The constitutional presiding officer of the House of Rep 
resentatives, or the lower branch of Congress. 

6. The Representatives. The constitutional members of the popular branch 
of Congress. 

The wives of these constitutional officials are entitled to the same place in 
the general scale of precedence as their husbands. 

All other ranks are subordinate, being simple creations of statutory enact 
ments of the constitutional powers represented in the order of official per. on - 
nel of the Constitution. The precedence of arrangement of the legislative 
power in the Constitution first, does not necessarily give it precedence of au 
thority, as the act of giving legislation constitutional force emanates from the 
executive power of the President. The revisionary authority of the Supreme 
Court is purely contingent upon antagonism of interests on questions of con 
stitutional interpretation, and naturally falls into the third place of coordi 
nate branches of the Government. 

The common law of precedence among women, for a known period of six 
centuries, his always accepted the paramount principle that precedence ema 
nates from the father or husband, and not from the females of a family, except 
when holding the titles of honor or rank in their own right. The same rule 
would rationally apply to the ladies in the social scale at Washington. Ladies 
in official life can have no claims to precedence above the rank of their hus 
bands. Therefore, the wife of the Vice- President, the President pro tern., or 
of the Speaker, under the old law, could no more be the first lady of the 
land, a social dignity conceded to the wife of the President, or presiding lady 
ofthe President s household, than could the wife ofthe Vice-President, or the 
wife of the Secretary of State, and so on through the statutory line of suc 
cession under the new law, set up such pretensions under similar circum 
stances. The inconsistency of all such assumptions of precedence in the 
female line, regardless of the official rank of the husband, will be seen 



AMERICAN PRECEDENCY AND TITLES. 29 

The executive, legislative and judicial coordinate branches of the Govern 
ment among themselves have certain relations of rank, but such relation of 
rank is peculiar to each of those classes, and gives no position in the general 
scale of official precedence. That scale applies only to those who enjoy dig 
nities and official rank as part of the Constitution. 

Without going into the interminable controversies over issues of precedence 
among the early members of the Government, and carried on with more or 
less vehemence at different times since Washington laid down the rudimentary 
code to govern the official and social surroundings of his administration some 
of the very recent questions involved in these knotty and often bitter conflicts 
of official and social interest in governmental circles, will illustrate the utility 
of a scale of precedence, and the illogical grounds upon which these contro 
versies have often been carried on by persons ambitious of distinctions above 
the line of their station in the official and social economy of the Government. 
A point at issue within the past few years has been the claims of the wives of 
the Vice President and the Speaker to social preeminence in event of the 
President being without a wife. During the Presidency of Mr. Arthur, the 
wife of the President pro tern, being in bad health, though never, however, 
advancing the claim to precedence, the wife of the Speaker undertook to assert 
her claims to preside at the state or social entertainments of the President s 
household, to the exclusion of the presiding lady of the Mansion by designa 
tion of the President himself. The wife of the Speaker held a court of her 
own, which was brilliant in the circle of her own admirers, but had no recog 
nition from the Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, judiciary, army, or navy. 

At the outset of the present administration, the wife of the Vice-President 
the President bei g a bachelor set up the same claims to precedence on formal 
occasions. In this case the President took the matter in hand and, having 
invited his sister to preside over his household, omitted from the list of the re 
ceiving party at his first levee the wife of the Vice-President, which was an 
emphatic rejection of her claims. A great deal of loose literature, masculine 
and feminine, was expended in both cases in support of the pretensions of the 
ambitious ladies in question. The conundrum of the season was: "Who is 
the first lady of the land? " 

The first legislative enactment ever placed on the statute books establish 
ing a designated order of precedence was the act of January 19, 1886, vest 
ing the line of succession to the office of President in event of death, resigna 
tion or inability to act, in the members of the Cabinet. This act made a radi 
cal change on several important points of former controversy. It also re 
modeled the order of precedence among the members of the Cabinet them 
selves. The act revived the official order of the members of the first Cabinet 



30 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

of President Washington, viz : Secretary of State, Treasury, War, Attorney 
General, and Postmaster General. The remaining two follow in their order 
of creation, as Secretary of the Navy and of the Interior. The Secretary of 
the Navy, previously fourth by usage, is now sixth l&gt;y law, in the order of 
precedence. The statute of succession and precedence of 1 886, therefore, 
conclusively settled the order of members of the Cabinet and their wives. 

The act of 1886, however, seemed to stimulate the claims of Cabinet minis 
ters and their ladies to precedence over Senators and Representatives, on the 
ground of being in the line of succession to ths Presidency. Washington or 
ganized the Government under the Constitution, and ran it for five months 
without a Cabinet, or even an executive department. The Cabinet order of 
succession is contingent upon the will of those representing the powers of the 
Constitution, and, being purely a matter of convenience, reversible, if public 
interests demand, their legislative prominence with reference to the Presiden 
tial succession, carries no superiority of rank. The Vice-President is the 
constitutional heir presumptive to the Presidency. He is also the constitu 
tional highest officer of the Congress. If the claims of the members of the 
Cabinet hold good, then the Secretary of State would take precedence of the 
President pro tct/i. of the Senate, when the Vice-President succeeds to the 
exercise of the duties of President. That would place a statutory Cabinet 
officer ahead of the highest officer of the second coordinate branch of the 
Government by warrant of the Constitution, and ahead of a Senator who not 
only has the power to make the President ^&gt;w tem. t but who has the constitu 
tional right to advise and consent to the creation of a Cabinet officer before he 
can receive a full commission to exercise his duties. 

The claims of members of the Diplomatic Corps to certain places in the 
scale of precedence at Washington, though they have been put forward at dif 
ferent times since the inauguration of the Government, do not enter into the 
question of ceremonial affairs, except as part of the suite of the President as 
guests of the nation. Their quasi -official relations compel their first call upon 
the Secretary of State, not as a member of the Cabinet, but representing the 
President. At state dinners they appear as a distinctive body, and are ar 
ranged in order of precedence, according to date of seniority of their presenta 
tion of credentials to the President. As a matter of ceremonial calls, they 
would be expected to make the first social call upon the Secretary of State, 
(representing the Executive, ) the Vice- President of the United States, or Presi 
&ent pro tern, of the Senate, and the Chief Justice of the United States. The 
same rule would apply to their ladies. Their social relations with other mem 
bers of the Cabinet, Senators, Justices, or Representatives, are optional. 

The question of titles was one of the conspicuous subjects of controversy in 



AMERICAN PRECEDENCY AND TITLES. 3! 

the convention which framed the present form of Government of the United 
States. The issue sprung up on the proper title of the President of the 
United States. A strong party, charged with monarchical tendencies, favored 
some style of additional title for the Chief Executive Officer of the nation, on 
the ground of international, as well as ceremonial, considerations. The ma 
jority, however, favored cutting entirely loose from every appearance of imi 
tation of the forms of the nations of the Old World, which resulted in the 
provision in the Constitution that "no title of nobility shall be granted by the 
United States." 

The contest started in the convention of 1787 was carried into the First 
Congress, which established by legislation, or practice, many of the official 
and social precedents of the seat of government, and made them co- incident 
with the setting in motion of the machinery of the new Constitution. Vice- 
President Adams, a Puritan, was the champion in the Senate of high-sound 
ing titles for the chief officers of the Government, and Richard Henry Lee, 
of Virginia, a cavalier, espoused the aristocratic cause in the House of Repre 
sentatives. These incipient controversies are not only unique, but instructive, 
in view of the adherence of popular sentiment for nearly a century to the 
nolicy of opposition to all titles other than those appertaining to official, judi 
cial, military, or naval rank. 

Within forty-eight hours after the organization of Congress and the installa 
tion of John Adams as Vice- President and President of the Senate, that func 
tionary gave that body a lecture on the necessity and propriety of titles. 
Having passed much time at the most brilliant courts of Europe as diplo 
matic minister, Mr. Adams had completely outgrown his Puritan instincts. 
He also became involved in a preliminary skirmish with the House of Repre 
sentatives on the proper title in addressing an official communication to their 
Speaker. Having asked whether he should apply the prefix "Honorable," 
the House administered a prompt and decided negative, preferring the simple, 
unembellishecl official title of their presiding officer, viz: "The Speaker of 
the House of Representatives." 

The effort to give the President an ornamental title took a more determined 
turn. A committee, at the instigation of the aristocratic party in the Senate, 
having been appointed in both Houses, the subject gave rise to a parlia 
mentary battle, which at one time grew rather too threatening to be in 
teresting. The New England, Virginia, and South Carolina Senators were 
the most active champions of a high-sounding title. Ellsworth, of Connecti 
cut, claimed that all the world, civilized and savage, called for titles ever since 
society Mas organized. The simple title, "The President," he thought 
sounded too much like the presiding officer of a cricket club, or fire company. 



32 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

"His Excellency" was proposed, but withdrawn, and "Highness" substi 
tuted, with the prefatory word "Elective," as "His Elective Highness 
George Washington, President of the United States," claiming that such a 
dignified title would add weight and authority to the office at home ar.d abroad. 
The champions of titles went over the whole list of the princes and potentates 
of the earth in support of the title "Highness." This was antagonized as 
beneath the dignity of the elective ruler of the United States, on the ground 
that the Grand Turk had it, that all the princes of Germany and sons and 
daughters of crowned heads had it; therefore it was degrading to the Presi 
dent of the United States to place him on a par with princes of any blood in 
Europe. The committee finally reported to the Senate as the title of the 
President: "His Highness the President of the United States of America 
and Protector of the Rights of the Same." 

When this high-flown official designation reached the House, the contending 
champions became so heated in their remarks that a rupture was threatened. 
The anti-title advocates insisted that the Constitution called him "The Presi 
dent of the United States," and, therefore, that was his title. The wags of 
the two Houses nagged their opponents by addressing them, "Your Highness 
of the Senate," "His Highness of the Lower House." 

This extraordinary discussion consumed three weeks of the opening de 
liberations of the First Congress of the United States, on the floor and in 
committee. At length the obduracy of the House, in support of republican 
simplicity in titles, as in governmental forms, compelled the conference com 
mittee, to which the matter was finally referred, to report their inability to 
agree. The Senate committee having decided not to address the President as 
"His Excellency," made a final recommendation of title as " His Highness, 
the President of the United States of America and Protector of their Liber 
ties." The Senate, seeing that their efforts to make the President a titled 
personage in violation of the Constitution was getting too serious, voted to 
postpone the further consideration of the question. The following report, 
which gave expression to the views of the Senate, was then agreed to : " From 
a decent respect for the opinion and practice of civilized nations, whether un 
der monarchical or republican forms of government, whose custom is to annex 
titles of respectability to the office of their chief magistrate, and that in inter 
course with foreign nations a due respect for the majesty of the people of the 
United States may not be hazarded by an appearance of singularity, the Senate 
have been induced to be of the opinion that it would be proper to annex a 
respectable title to the office of President of the United States ; but the Senate, 
desirous of preserving harmony with the House of Representatives, where 
the practice lately observed in presenting an address to the President was 



AMERICAN PRECEDENCY AND TITLES. 33 

without the addition of title, think it proper for the present to act in con 
formity with the practice of the House. 

"Therefore, resolved, That the present address be To the President of 
the United States, without addition of title." 

The discussion of the subject of titles was commenced in Congress before 
the arrival of Washington in New York. In a letter of July, 1789, to a friend 
in Virginia, the first President expressed his opposition to additional title. It 
was urged that "His High Mightiness," the title of the Stadtholders of 
Holland, was his choice, but there is nothing to show that he ever expressed 
such an opinion. 

The vise of titles in the United States, having been restricted in the very 
first days of the Government to the simple constitutional or statutory desig 
nation of the office, has never been deviated from since. The formal style of 
addressing any officer in his official capacity in writing is therefore simply by 
the title of his office, and nothing else. In conversation the complimentary 
title Mr. is prefixed by usage and propriety to the designations of civil or 
judicial office, as Mr. President, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Justice, Mr. Senator. In 
an official communication of a personal character, it is proper to use the sim 
ple name of the individual with the title of his office added. Usage has 
allowed in the United S.ates the prefix of title " Honorable" to the name of 
the official with the title of his office added. The title "Honorable" in 
England applies to younger sons of noblemen, the elder sons taking the title 
of the house or family rank. It also applies to members of Parliament and 
other persons holding places of honor and trust. 

The title "Honorable" therefore is a subordinate one, and the lowest in 
the scale of titles of rank in foreign countries. In the United States it is 
never applied to the President, Vice President or Chief Justice, but is used 
by custom and courtesy in addressing elective officers, as Senators and Repre 
sentatives, and the higher officials holding office from the President and 
confirmation by the Senate. It also applies to Governors of States, Judges of 
courts, and Mayors of cities. Its abuse is its promiscuous application to State 
legislators and others not in national office or chief office in States. It is not 
American, however, in any sense, nor in harmony with the rigid doctrine 
established by the Constitution and the First Congress. Its use places every 
official, National or State, of the United States in the estimation of the world 
on a level with the younger sons of nobility, an objection in the First Congress 
to using "Highness" as applied to the President, because it lowered him 
before the world to the level of foreign princes and sons and daughters of 
crowned heads. It is more in accordance with the spirit of American institu 
tions to adhere to the theory of the first discussion of the subject. If the 



34 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

name of the official be used it should be without prefix or suffix of title, 
followed by the title cf the office as Grover Cleveland, President of the United 
States ; John Sherman, Senator of the United States, or Thomas F. Bayard, 
Secretary of State; or another form as Senator Evarts, Speaker Carlisle, 
Representative Randall, and so on. The use of "Esquire" is equally out of 
place among Americans. The title " Esquire" in England is applied to still 
younger sons of noblemen, officers of the King s courts, counsellors-at-law, 
justices of the peace, sheriffs, and " other gentlemen." The title of courtesy 
permissible as in entire symphony with the spirit of American institutions is 
Mr. The Supreme Court of the United States, from the beginning of its 
history, has used the form of address, Mr. Chief Justice or Mr. Justice in 
writing or in conversation. This is sanctioned by the authority of the court 
itself. Their ladies are also addressed in the same form, by the same 

authority, as Mrs. Chief Justice , or Mrs. Justice . The form of 

address for an American Diplomatic Minister, in use by the Department of 

State, is singularly enough Esqr., and not even "Honorable." The 

titles of military or naval rank are indispensable to discipline, authority and 
administration. 

One of the much-discussed and perplexing problems of social life at the 
capital, where some of the most prominent ladies belong to one of the many 
official circles, is their proper form of address. In Washington society the 
wives of officials use the titles of their husbands, with Mrs. prefixed. This 
custom is part of the lex non scripta of social practices in official life. It has 
been found necessary to adopt this form for the identification of the ladies in 
official society, in the minds of the mass of strangers and transient persons 
who mingle in Washington social life during the fashionable season. It there 
fore has the strong endorsement of convenience. It would doubtless be more 
euphonious to use simply the married surname, prefixed by Mrs. But this 
might apply to wives of individuals in high office, and consequently widely 
known by name, but to ladies whose husbands are of less note, and of sub 
ordinate official rank, the first form has its advantages. Among strangers it 
dispenses with explanations. They then know at once with whom they are 
mingling. In other cases it is unnecessary to sandwich an official title be 
tween Mrs. and the lady s name. Everyone knows who is meant by Mrs. 
Cleveland, and so on through the list of brilliant women who ornament the 
social circles of official life. Therefore to say Mrs. President Cleveland, or 
the same in the case of the wives of well-known personages of official rank, 
would be unnecessary. But, as a rule, it would be indispensable to a knowl 
edge of the official place of a majority of ladies to say, Mrs. Senator , 

Mrs. Representative . Mrs. Comptroller , or to make the same 

use of the title of any other officer of Presidential appointment and Senatorial 



THE CABINET. 35 

confirmation, in speaking of his wife. The inadvd tence or unreasonableness of 
the persons who criticise this convenient form for the identification of persons 
in the feminine circles of official rank, is best characterized by calling their 
attention to the accepted use, under similar circumstances, of professional titles 

among the wives of professional men, as Mrs. Rev. , Mrs. Doctor . 

The iise of titles in the form indicated for woman, has, therefore, neces 
sarily become part of the social institutions of the Government, and has al 
ways had the sanction of usage and the endorsement of convenience. This rule, 
however, does not apply to daughters, as custom has never accorded any 
other than the titles of courtesy in good society to the daughters or other lady 
members of the families of officials. The President and Mrs. Washington, 
the First Congress, and the first Chief Justice and Associate Justices and 
their ladies laid the foundations of the social superstructure of the three 
coordinate branches of the Government, and marked out the line of the sub- 
ordinate official and unofficial customs at the National Capital, from which 
there has since been no material departure. 



CHAPTER VI. 
THE CABINET. 

THE ADMINISTRATION THE ORDER OF PRECEDENCY OF THE CABINET IN 
THE OFFICIAL SCALE THE PREMIER SECRETARY BAYARD THE BAYARD 
FAMILY HIS FOREIGN POLICY THE NEW SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY 
MR. FAIRCHILD MRS. FAIRCHILD EX-SECRETARY AND MRS. MANNING 
SECRETARY AND MRS. ENDICOTT ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND 
POSTMASTER GENERAL AND MRS. VILAS SECRETARY AND MRS. WHITNEY 
SECRETARY AND MRS. LAMAR. 

/^r~\"&gt; 

HE President and the Cabinet entrusted with the execution of the 
laws, and the direction of public affairs are collectively designated 
The Administration. 
To overcome the dangers incident to the statutes regulating the Presiden 
tial succession led to the first designation by Congressional enactment, Janu 
ary 19, 1886, of an order of precedence affecting the members of the Cabinet 
of the President. Previously their arrangement at meetings in counsel with 
the President upon affairs of state and upon other official and ceremonial occa 
sions was by seniority of date of elevation of the office into an executive de 
partment. This rule gave the members of the Cabinet their order of prece 
dence, viz: Secretary of State (the Premier,) Treasury, War, Navy, 
Postmaster General, Secretary of the Interior, and Attorney General. The 



\j^ &gt;[ - 



36 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

repeal of the old law designating the President pro. tern, of the Senate, or, if 
none, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ex officio heirs presump 
tive to the Presidency in case of removal, death, resignation, or inability of 
both the President and Vice President of the United States, under the 
act of 1886, substituted as the line of succession the Secretary of State, Treas 
ury, War, the Attorney General, the Postmaster General, the Secretary of 
the Navy, and the Secretary of the Interior. 

This statutory declaration restored the first five cabinet ministers to their 
order of precedence in the cabinet of the first President and added those 
since created in the order of seniority. This statute being the recognized de 
gree of proximity of each officer named to the Chief Executive office of the 
nation he takes precedence, or rank accordingly in the administration and its 
ceremonial and social affairs. 

The official authority of a member of the Cabinet does not extend beyond 
the jurisdiction of his own Department. His social prerogatives do not give 
him the exclusiveness of the President s official household. He should 
make the first call of etiquette upon the Vice President, Chief, and Justices 
of the Supreme Court, and Senators, and receive the first call from all others. 
He returns calls in person or by card. The ladies are governed by the same 
rules. The ladies of the Cabinet hold their Drawing Rooms for receiving 
residents and strangers in good society. The Cabinet Minister usually holds 
one or more receptions by card, during the season. 

The Secretary of State, in his position as Primier of the Administration, 
enjoys prerogatives not common to other members of the Cabinet, and is 
charged with special duties oi an official, ceremonial and social nature. He 
has charge of the arrangement of all State occasions not social, in which the 
President is the principal. He greets, in the name of the President, a mem 
ber of a royal family, or ruler of a foreign state visiting the Capital. Is pres 
ent during his call of etiquette, and attends the President in returning the 
visit. He arranges the audiences accorded Diplomatic Ministers in present 
ing their credentials, or taking leave. He has also certain social obligations 
not imposed upon his colleagues. He gives the Representatives of Foreign 
Governments residing near the Government at Washington, a Diplomatic 
breakfast immediately after the New Year s call of the Corps upon the Presi 
dent. He also, during the social season, entertains the members of the for 
eign Legations, and their ladies at a Diplomatic reception, or series of din 
ners, upon which occasions the ministers and ladies appear in full dress. 

The Premier of the administration, Thomas Francis Bayard, of Delaware, 
Secretary of State, is descended from a long line cf ancestors numbered 
among the gallant knights and courtiers conspicuous in the wars of France 



THE CABINET. 37 

during the sixteenth and seventeenth, and statesmen prominent in colonial, 
revolutionary and national affairs in America during the eighteenth and nine 
teenth centuries. One of three Bayards, brothers, who entered the Reformed 
faith in France and fled to Holland to escape religious persecution early in the 
seventeenth century, became the husband of Anna, the widowed sister of Peter 
Stuyvesant, the Governor of New Amsterdam. With her three sons and one 
diughter she landed in America with her valiant brother, the Governor of the 
Dutch possessions. Petrus, the youngest of these sons, was naturalized in 
Maryland in 1684. It was his grandson, James Ashton Bayard, the grand 
father of Secretary Bayard, who made Thomas Jefferson President of the United 
States by changing his vote in the House of Representatives in 1801. Mr. 
Bayard, who is fifty-eight, was the third in consecutive line in his family, 
who for forty-three years had served in the Senate of the United States. 

As a Senator, Mr. Bayard resided sixteen years in Washington; therefore, 
when he entered the Cabinet the ladies of his family were well known to Wash 
ington society. The sudden death of his beautiful daughter Katherine, at the 
height of the season of 1885-6, whose accomplishments in languages had made 
her a great favorite in all circles, and the death of his wife two weeks after, 
was not only an overwhelming family affliction, but an irreparable loss to the 
social life of the capital. Mrs. Louisa Bayard, whose marriage took place in 
1853. was a daughter of Josiah Lee, a retired India merchant and banker of 
Baltimore. She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom, six girls 
and three boys, grew up. Annie Francis Bayard, a very beautiful young lady, 
has just passed twenty, and Florence, equally beautiful, has just closed her 
teens. Louisa is nearly eighteen, and would have entered society during the 
past season but for the double mourning which still overhung the family circle. 
Nellie, attending school in Boston, resides with her eldest sister, Mabel, 
Mrs. Warren, wife of Samuel D. Warren, jr., attorney-at-law. Miss Anne 
or Nannie Bayard, who presides over her father s household, is a young lady 
of varied attractions of manner and culture, but is more particularly celebrated 
as being the finest horsewoman in Washington. She is entirely fearless, and 
can manage the most spirited animal. Her exploits in hurdle jumping and 
fox hunting are not only marvelous, but thrilling. Florence who is a bru 
nette, more closely resembles her sister Katherine. She is a bright, loveable 
ycung lady, and domestically inclined. The Secretary s son James, an ex 
ceedingly brilliant young man, is secretary for the Territory of Arizona. He 
inherits the politics of his family. Thomas and Philip, two younger sons, 
are at school. 

Secretary Bayard has never been a georgeous entertainer, but his house 
has always been the center of attraction of the most select and cultivated peo- 



38 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

pie in society. His manners are courtly, and his conversation interesting 
and varied. He is a man of distinguished presence. His face, which is smooth- 
shaven, combines in expression a pleasing contrast of the lights of kindly in 
stincts with the shadings of a thoughtful mind. His chief recreation is horse 
manship, in which he is expert, and always keeps fine animals for equestrian 
enjoyment. 

In his high office of Secretary of State, he has been to the President a 
prudent counselor in the management of the delicate, and often intricate, 
questions growing out of international relations and policy. He has been 
roundly charged by critics of being un-American in his ideas and leanings, 
when absolutely the reverse has been the fact. In the rejection by Austria of 
the cast-off American Diplomatic Representative to Italy, he resented with de 
cided epistolary vehemence the right of a foreign government to apply a re 
ligious test to an American Minister, in contravention of the letter of the 
Constitution of the United States and the spirit of American institutions. Aus 
tria has just shown her desire to cultivate a renewal of representation by send 
ing a new diplomatic minister to Washington. In a controversy with Mexico, 
he denied the right of a foreign government to punish a citizen of the United 
States for an offense committed on American territory, and coerced that gov 
ernment into an ulterior charge of circulating libel on Mexican soil, which fur 
nished a loophole of exit from unpleasant diplomatic relations between the two 
Republics. In the protection of American interests during the burning of 
Panama, and in the correspondence logically ensuant to the prompt un 
asked occupation of the unfortunate Isthmian metropolis by United States 
forces, and harbor by an American fleet, in warlike array, he gave a 
pointedness of presentation of the Monroe doctrine and the American 
view of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty far in advance of anything ventured 
upon by the American Government. In the fishery complications he has 
from the beginning asserted the rights of American fishermen in Canadian 
waters, under treaty stipulations. His desire to go further was embarrassed 
by the interpretation placed by Secretary Fish upon the treaty of 1818, under 
which the right to do certain things was renounced by the United States, and 
Great Britain relinquished her right under the treaty of r 783, of free naviga 
tion of the Mississippi river. The treaty of Washington, he maintained, 
simply preserved the modus rivendi of certain things not yielded. The same 
intelligent action has attended the organization of the Diplomatic Service, the 
chief courts having representative men of the dominant party in Executive 
affairs. 

Having for more than a year performed the duties of Secretary of the Treas 
ury, it was a fitting recognition of Assistant Secretary Charles Stebbins Fair- 



THE CABINET. 39 

child, that he should succeed Mr. Manning upon his retirement from that office. 
Mr. Fairchild, a native of Cazenovia, was born in 1842. Having completed 
a collegiate education and a course of law, in 1871, he became junior member 
of the law firm of Hand, Hale, Schwartz & Fairchild, of Albany. In 1868 he 
began his political career by organizing the Democratic party of his native 
coumy, as chairman of its committee, in support of Horatio Seymour, for 
President, running for the State Senate himself. He was Deputy Attorney 
General of New York by appointment. As a recognition of his ability he 
was nominated and elected Attorney General in 1876. Having served this 
out he spent two years in Europe. He was President of the Charities Aid 
Association of the State, and Vice- President of the Charity Organization So 
ciety of the City of New York. Both are corporate bodies, the former with 
powers conferred by the State to investigate any of the public eleemosynary 
establishments, and are well known throughout the entire civilized world. In 
1880 he began the practice of law in New York, in which he continued until 
his invitation, in 1885, to the second place in the administration of the fiscal 
department of the Government by Secretary Manning. 

Secretary Fairchild is in the vigor of health. He is a man of quick percep 
tions and an analytical mind, He is one of the seven youngest persons who 
have filled the post of Secretary of the Treasury. The youngest was Alex 
ander Hamilton, Washington s first Secretary, who was thirty-two; Wolcott, 
the second, was thirty-five; and Dexter and Gallatin, third and fourth, were 
forty; Bristow, was forty-one; Crawford was forty-four, which was also the 
age of Secretary Fairchild. Had the appointment been made April 30, in 
stead of April i, he would have been forty-five, the ages of Rush, McLane, 
and Woodbury. During the canal ring investigations in New York, he was 
closely associated with Samuel J. Tilden, who had great confidence in his 
judgment and abilities, and always favored his political advancement He is 
sound on financial questions, sustains the administration position on silver, 
and is a tariff reformer. He is conservative, however, in his treatment of 
public questions coming within the jurisdiction of his department, and is not 
given to hobbies. He sets the example of promptness at his office. In so 
ciety he is not very demonstrative, but is a man of agreeable manners in offi 
cial or social intercourse. He is a close observer, and not aggressive in con 
versation, being more of a listener than a talker. He is striking in appear 
ance, middle-sized, of stocky build, with jet black hair and eyes. He always 
dresses in excellent taste. 

Mrs. Fairchild, who is the first lady of the cabinet, the Premier being a 
widower, was Helen Lincklaen, daughter of Ledyard Lincklaen, of Cazeno 
via, N. Y. She is of medium stature, of graceful figure, blonde, with brown 



40 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

eyes, and interesting in conversation, but not aggressive, generally acting on 
the defensive in the general topics of social talk. Her toilettes are in excellent 
taste Her father was born Lincklaen Ledyard, a son of Jonathan Denise 
Ledyard. A sister of the latter married John Lincklaen, of Holland, who 
came to the United States in 1792 as agent of the Holland Land Company, 
and purchased a tract of land in New York forty by four miles, in the vicinity 
of Cazenovia. The Ledyards were of the same Groton, Conn., family as 
Col. William Ledyard, the defender of Fort Griswold, in 1781, who was 
pierced through the body by the British commander, after he had surren 
dered his sword, and John Ledyard, who circumnavigated the globe with Cap 
tain John Cook, and was with him when he was killed by the cannibals of the 
Sandwich Islands. At the request of his aunt, the widow of John Lincklaen, 
the narr.e of Lincklaen Ledyard, was changed to Ledyard Lincklaen. and to 
the old Lincklaen mansion at Cazenovia, some years before the death of his 
aunt, he brought his bride, Miss Helen Clarissa Seymour. He was distin 
guished for his love of literature and science, being a frequent contributor to 
the magazines of his day. At the time of his death, in 1864, at forty- three 
years of age, he was regarded as the leading authority in the geology of the 
State. Mrs. Fairchild s mother is a sister of Horatio Seymour, and one of 
six children of Henry Seymour, a gentleman conspicuous in the business and 
politics of New York, in the early part of the century, who married Mary For- 
man . The other children are Mary, widow of Rutger B. Miller, John For- 
man Seymour, Julia, wife of Roscoe Conkling, all resident of Utica, N. Y., 
and Sophii Seymour, widow of Mr. Shonnard. of Yonkers, N. Y. The Sey 
mours are descended from Richard Seymour, an Episcopal clergyman, who 
came to America from England Avith the Popham colony, which settled in 
Maine. His Bible, among the heirlooms of the Hartford branch of the 
family, shows that he came from Berry Pomeroy Castle, then the property 
of the Seymour family, of which the Duke of Somerset is a present member. 

The Ledyards were already connected with the Seymours by several mar 
riages before the Revolution, and both families had at the same period inter 
married with the Formans of New Jersey. All these families settled in the 
heart of New York early in the century. 

Secretary Fairchild s paternal grandfather, John Fairchild, settled in Madi 
son county some yeais after the Ledyards. He was the pi inter and publisher 
of a newspaper. His son, Sidney T., married Helen Childs, daughter of 
Perry G. Childs, then a prominent lawyer, and Democratic politician, and at 
one time a State Senator. Mr. Childs came to Cazenovia from Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts, when a young man. His father, a physician of that pictur 
esque town, having given his sons a good education, fitted out two of them, 



THE CABINET. 4! 

David and Perry G. Childs, with a horse and chaise, and started them to seek 
their fortunes in the western wilderness. At Utica they sold the chaise and 
harness. David remained in Utica, where he became a successful banker and 
business man. Perry, with the horse, continued westward until he reached 
Cazenovia, where he halted, and began the practice of law. Here he married 
Miss Catharine Ledyard, sister of Mrs. John Lincklaen. 

Sidney T. Fairchild, the Secretary s father, after receiving an education at 
Hamilton and Union colleges, began the practice of law at Utica, where he 
resided a short time after his marriage. Upon the death of his father-iii-law&gt; 
Mr. Perry G. Childs, he returned to Cazenovia and became associated in his 
profession with Charles Stebbins, the partner of his deceased father in-law, 
also a prominent Democrat and State Senator. He has been a successful law 
yer himself, and had much to dc with the development of his section of the 
State, having been prominently connected with the Great Western Turnpike, 
then the main highway from New York city westward to Buffalo. He was 
active in the construction of the railroad from Utica to Syracuse, which after 
wards became part of the New York Central Railroad. He has also been 
more or less connected with that great corporation ever since. He never held 
any office except that of village trustee, but has always been an earnest Demo 
crat, representing his county frequently in State and National conventions. 

The most noticeable figure in the Cabinet politically was Daniel Manning, 
and his compulsory retirement on account of sadly impaired health, has 
been the most sad experience of the President since he entered office. There 
existed between them a particularly close relation. Their acquaintance grew 
out of the erratic movements of New York politics, which led to Grover 
Cleveland s election to the Governorship. The closer acquaintance which fol 
lowed culminated in the recognition by the leader of New York politics, of 
the possibilities of that unexpected, mysterious and unsummoned power be 
fore the people. He saw the futility of running any more campaigns on old 
blood and played-out issues. He saw in the modest and unostentatious head 
of the civil authority of the State the man of the future. Grover Cleveland is 
in the Executive Mansion and the Democratic party in control, more through 
the incipient counsels and subsequent efforts of Daniel Manning, than any 
other one man. Mr. Manning was more of a party man than the President, 
and it was not always that their views, from a party standpoint, were in ac 
cord. Before his sudden illness, the presence of the Secretary at the Execu 
tive Mansion, out of official hours, was of daily occurence. The President 
was the conserving influence in the carrying out of the policy of administration 
which had been promised in platforms, letters of acceptance, party declama 
tion, and inaugural and annual messages. Under the pressure of political 



42 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

influence, the Secretary was often inclined to yield to greater impetuosuy than 
his convictions of expediency, even from a partisan standpoint, would natur 
ally prompt, but he found in the President that same imperturbability of char 
acter which first impressed him. 

The retirement of Mr. Manning withdrew from the counsels of the Presi 
dent the sagacious and healthful advice of a devoted friend. He was the 
politician of the Cabinet. He was reared in the Albany school of politics. 
It was also the city of his birth, in 1831. He represented the Albany Atlas, 
the Argus, of which he is now executive proprietor, in the Legislature, and 
there built up his influence in State and National party affairs. He was in 
strumental in the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden to the Governorship in 1874, 
and was a member of every Democratic State Convention down to the nomi 
nation of Grover Cleveland as Governor of New York. He was a member of 
the New York Democratic State Committee from 1876 to 1884, ;he last four 
years being its chairman. He was in the National Convention which nomi 
nated Tilden in 1876, Hancock in 1880, and Cleveland in 1884. He conducted 
the National campaign of 1884 in New York which secured that State to the 
Democrats. In the control of State politics he succeeded Dean Richmond 
and Samuel J. Tilden. 

His two years management of the fiscal policy of the Administration was an 
eminent success. He stood manfully in consistent hostility to the historic and 
traditional financial heresies of his own party, and from the first moved forward 
in the line of sound doctrines of finance. On economic questions he displayed 
a leaning towards the pro-British theories of his party, which were apparently 
not the understood convictions of his mind when he entered the Department. 
He surrendered his charge with just pride in having belied partisan croak- 
ings about panics and financial disorders through his stand on behalf of the 
financial and business interests of the Nation, as against heresies chiefly in 
spired by the purely partisan opposition of a majority of the party in power 
to the party which in twenty-four years had reared the superstructure of the 
greatest and most beneficent financial system ever contrived by the ingenuity 
of men or nations. He left the finances firmly established upon a gold basis, 
and the administration of the Department in as good condition as when he 
assumed the reins of authority. 

The official society of the Capital also feels the loss of the beautiful wife of 
the Secretary of the Treasury. Mrs. Manning was Miss Mary Margaretta 
Fryer, daughter of W. J. Fryer, of Albany, a retired merchant, the marriage 
taking place in November, 1884, immediately after the announcement of the 
successful issue of the Presidential campaign. The first Mrs. Manning, Miss 
Mary Little, a charming lady, of English parentage, died in i882&gt; leaving two 



THE CABINET. 43 

sons and two daughters. Her eldest son, James Hilton Manning, is manag 
ing editor of the Albany Argus, of which his father is president. Her eldest 
daughter, Anna, is married and living happily in Albany. Miss Mary, who 
is just passing her teens, was the debutante of the Cabinet circle during the 
season. This highly educated and gifted young lady is a mild type of blonde, 
but the chief attraction of her beauty is the close feminine resemblance she 
bears to her distinguished father. She has a well-rounded figure, a pleasing 
face and engaging manners. 

The present Mrs. Manning is in the early thirties, a tall, slender and hand 
some blonde. She is descended from a branch of the family of Chancellor 
Livingston, who administered the oath of office to the first President. She 
has all the captivating grace and womanly charms of the ladies of those model 
days of feminine loveliness. During the two years of her residence in Wash 
ington she gathered around her a wide circle of friends. Her social en 
tertainments were always in great taste. In her departure she carried with 
her the affectionate and regretful farewells of every member of official and so 
cial life. 

The Secretary of War, William Crowninshield Endicott, represents the old 
Puritan stock of Governor John Endicott, who was sent out in 1628 by the 
Massachusetts Company to take charge of their affairs at Salem. This son of 
that blue-blooded ancestry was born one hundred and ninety-eight years after 
on the same spot. From 1873 to 1882 he was Associate Justice of the Su 
preme Court of Massachusetts, and in 1884 President Cleveland chose him as 
the representative of that better type of Northern Democracy, which regards 
statesmanship as something more than office farming. The Secretary is a man 
of middle stature and somewhat gray. In conversation, while reserved, pos 
sibly the result of the judicial habit, he is still affable and satisfying. 

Miss Ellen Peabody, daughter of George Peabody, of Salem, the same 
stock as the great philanthropist of Danvers, became Mrs. Endicott in 1859. 
She is a tall, stately lady, and a little younger than the Secretary. She re 
minds one of the high-born ladies of the olden days. Her daughter, Mary C. 
Endicott, assists in the social entertainments of the War Secretary s home. 
She is the embodiment of New England feminine culture. Her figure is of a 
distinguished mould, and her manners the same. Her face is an index to an 
intelligent and well- stored mind. Her conversation has a tendency to the 
aesthetic and philosophic. The mother of Secretary Endicott was a niece of 
Jacob Crowninshield, of Massachusetts, President Jefferson s Secretary of the 
Navy, 1805-9. She died when her son was but a child. 

The Secretary lives and entertains well. Among the guests during the 
season were Mrs. Knyvett W. Sears, of Boston, sister of Mrs. Endicott and 



44 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

of Mrs. W. P. Mason, with whom Mrs. Cleveland resided when visiting Bos 
ton with the President in November, 1886. 

The Attorney-General of the Administration, Augustus H. Garland, is a 
Tennesseean by birth and Arkansan by consecutive residence of over three 
decades. lie helped to pass the ordinance of secession of his State in 1861 
and make laws for the Confederacy. He was refused a seat in the United 
States Senate in 1867. He gained a suit in the test oath case as to lawyers in 
the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1874 he was elected Governor 
of Arkansas without opposition, and received a similar mark of confidence in 
his election to the United States Senate in 1876 and 1882. He was the most 
progressive of any of the Southern Democratic Senators. He believed in ac 
cepting the results of the war as finally settling the issues between the two 
sections, which had grown out of the differing views of the statesmen in the 
infancy of the Constitution. lie denounced the Bourbon idea that all past, 
present and future political wisdom was to be summed up in the resolutions 
of 1798. Although fifty-four years of age, the Attorney-General has a much 
younger appearance. He is of retiring manner, the result of habits of medi 
tation and study. In the Senate he was ranked on the Democratic with Ed 
munds on the Republican side. When he entered the Cabinet Mr. Garland 
had been a widower eight years. His mother has charge of his household, 
which consists of one son and daughter grown and three children at school. 
His eldest daughter, Daisy, will finish her education this year, and will be 
the Cabinet debutante next season. The Attorney-General is much averse to 
society. While he is hospitable in a quiet way in his own home, he has never 
attended any of the social entertainments at the Executive Mansion, and has 
never worn a full dress coat. His residence is in Little Rock, with a country 
seat, " Hominy Hill," fifteen miles distant. 

William Freeman Vilas, who controls the administration of our vast postal 
service, is one of the most conspicuous figures in Western progressive De 
mocracy, believing in tariff reform and the elevation of the public service. He 
was born in Vermont in 1840. His father, an eminent aud successful lawyer 
in the Green Mountain State, having a family of boys to rear and educate, 
settled himself in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1851, where the State University 
had been established. The Postmaster- General was precocious in his studies 
and profession, having enteied the University at thirteen, graduated, finished 
a law course, and wen his first case in the Supreme Court at twenty. He 
served under Grant in the war, and then gh a staunch Democrat, was an en 
thusiastic friend and admirer of the old hero. In his official position he is 
thorough and exact, wonderfully quick in perception, with a memory that notes 
and holds all details, and though decisive and firm, he is considerate and just. 



THE CABINET. 45 

In society he is companionable, but like most men of his stamp he is averse to 
general society, preferring his books and fireside and chosen friends. He has 
a striking, professional presence. 

Mrs. Vilas, who was Anna Matilda Fox, is the daughter of a high-toned 
Irish born gentleman and physician, who was very prominent in Wisconsin 
from territorial days till his death in 1884, and held in great esteem through 
out the State. Mrs. Vilas is a few years younger than her husband, is petite 
in figure and composed in manner. Her Drawing Rooms are very popular. 
Her eldest daughter, Cornelia, or Miss Nellie, as she is familiarily called, is 
not quite twenty, but assists her mother in her social duties. She is a moder 
ate blonde, with brown hair and a winning face. A quiet, unostentatious dig 
nity adds greatly to her attractions. Miss Mary, or Mollie, the younger 
daughter, is at school, being thirteen. She is a remarkably bright, attractive 
girl, and for two seasons has been president of a young misses charitable en 
terprise for Christmas. 

Among the guests of Mrs. Vilas, in Washington, Miss Gertrude Hoyne, 
daughter of Philip Hoyne, a prominent citizen of Chicago, spent several 
weeks during the past season, and was a general favorite. She is a brunette 
of rare beauty, with a grace and sweetness of manner that adds to beauty s 
charm. Miss Lucia Johnson, of Chicago, a cousin of Mrs. Vilas, was 
with her in the holidays. Dr. Charles H. Vilas, brother of the Postmaster- 
General, and eminent as a physician, in fine practice in Chicago, is also a fre 
quent visitor. 

The Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, is the moneyed man and 
entertainer of the Cabinet. He hailed from Conway, Mass., when he arrived 
in New York as a lad starting in life. He is about forty- seven. He reached 
a professional and political culmination in the brief space of eight years, as 
Corporation Counsel of New York city, as a leading spirit of the County De 
mocracy and an implicable foe to the Tweed ring. He was one of the most 
active and aggressive managers of the Cleveland campaign of 1884, in New 
York. He is the youngest looking member of the Cabinet. He is a man of 
princely liberality in every deserving undertaking. In his department he 
has the devotion of all the employees. He has not made a single removal, 
except for flagrant cause. In society he is not only a liberal entertainer, but 
a man of very ready wit and fine conversational powers. 

Mrs. Flora Payne \Vhitney, daughter of the millionaire Senator from Ohio, 
married in 1871, is a perfect hostess in presiding over the lavish social en 
tertainments of her husband. She is a woman of warm affections and great 
kindness. A blonde of medium stature, graceful, and engaging in conversa 
tion. She dresses elegantly and in excellent taste. Her daughter of thirteen, 



46 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Pauline, and two boys are at school. The Secretary occupies the former resi 
dence of President Arthur s Secretary of State. In order to adapt it to the 
social gatherings which he contemplated, he expended $50,000 in adding a 
ball room and making other improvements. The Secretary keeps up four houses 
one opposite the Vanderbilt s, in New York, presented to Mrs. Whitney by 
her brother, which cost $750,000, a commodious summer residence at Lenox, 
Massachusetts, his Washington residence and a country seat, "Grassland," 
of 103 acres, which cost $30,000, and $25,000 for improvements, three miles 
from the capital, andnear the President s rural retreat, "Oak View." 

Secretary Whitney has characterized his official life with the crowning glory 
of having inaugurated the reconstruction of the Navy on the basis of modern 
ships and ordnance. He will be known as the father of the Modern Navy 
of the United States. He has also instituted certain reforms in the manage 
ment of the navy-yards and purchase of supplies. 

Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus Lamar, who figures at the head of the Depart 
ment of the Interior, represents the old regime of politics and society at the 
National Capital. He belongs to the line of old time Southern statesmen. 
He is a Georgian by birth and education. At different times he filled the 
chairs of mathematics, literature and law at the University of Mississippi. 
He was assistant editor of the Southern Review, which did more to prepare 
the Southern mind for sectional antagonisms than any other single influence 
He was a conspicuous light in Congress during the beginning of President 
Buchanan s term, and was the contemporary of the men who took the States 
out of the Union. He was a seceder, soldier and diplomat of the rebellion; 
a Representative in the Congress of the triumphant Union in 1873, and a 
Senator in 1877, until he entered the Cabinet. Secretary Lamar is a type of 
a Southern planter, tall, well- formed, with flowing hair. He is a man of ec 
centricity, his spells of abstraction often causing him to find himself in amus 
ing situations. 

The Secretary was in mourning when he took his place in the Cabinet. 
During the earlier days of the past season his house was open to the social 
world, his son s wife and his own beautiful daughter presiding. The Secre 
tary s re -marriage during the first week in January added an accomplished 
and attractive wife to the interesting group of ladies in his family. 

The present Mrs. Lamar was Miss Henrietta Dean, daughter of James 
Dean, a wealthy planter and politician of Macon, Georgia. As a young lady 
she was a great belle, combining beauty, wit, and wealth, and had a host of 
suitors from all parts of the south. Mr. Lamar, who was a friend of her 
father, enjoyed her acquaintance when he resided at Macon, but he disclaims 
the romantic rivalry between himself and Judge Holt for the hand of the 



THE CABINET. 47 

beautiful Miss Dean. Judge William S. Holt, who married her, was one of 
the richest men in the State of Georgia vihen he died, having bequeathed 
his wealth to his widow. One of his daughters is the wife of Captain 
R. E. Park, of Macon, another is the wife of W. H. Virgin, of Vineville, a 
suburb of Macon, and another is the wife of Col. J. E. Jones, also of Macon. 
The marriage taking place in the first week in January, the social gaities of 
the season were well advanced by the time the bridal couple reached Wash 
ington. The Secretary s house, however, was thronged with callers at the 
two or three Drawing Rooms which his wife held. 

The first Mrs. Lamar was Virginia Longstreet, daughter of Judge Augustus 
B. Longstreet, of Georgia, President of the University of South Carolina, and 
later of the University of Mississippi, author of "Georgia Scenes," a humor 
ous work, and a cousin of Gen. James B. Longstreet, of Confederate fame. 
Her eldest child, Fannie, is the wife of Edward Mayes, Chancellor of the 
University of Mississippi, at Oxford, and of which his grandfather was atone 
time president. The second daughter, Augusta, is the wife of H. F. Heis- 
kell, a young and talented attorney of Memphis, Tennessee. The third 
daughter, Virginia, or Jennie, after her mother s death, in 1884, resided with 
her sister, Mrs. Heiskell, at Memphis, and made her debut there two winters 
ago. She occasionally visited Washington when her father was in the Senate, 
but formally entered Washington society in the Cabinet circle of young ladies 
at the opening of the past season. Miss Lamar has a poetical face, is a 
blonde of pronounced Southern type, tall and graceful, with a beautiul mouth, 
and brown, expressive eyes. She is quick in conversation, and, though 
young, is entirely at home in society, and is a great belle. 

Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus Lamar, Jr., the only son and second child of 
Secretary Lamar, after finishing his education, engaged in mercantile pursuits 
at Oxford, Mississippi. He is now private secretary to his father. In 1879 
he married Miss Katie Lester, daughter of a prominent physician of Oxford, 
and an ex officer of the Confederate service. Mrs. Lamar, junior, until the 
Secretary s second marriage, presided over his household Washington, and 
was very popular. She is a lady of artistic tastes. Her portraits in oil, or 
crayon, and paintings of ainmals, show decided genius. She has a studio in 
her house, and gives much time to art. Her son of six years is the fourth 
direct descendant of the name Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus in the Lamar 
family. The Secretary, and his bright grandson, amuse themselves nights at 
fencing, boxing, and wrestling. 

&gt;o 

trm-; .si 



48 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 

THE DIPLOMATIC CIRCLE ITS PERSONNEL RULES OF PRECEDENCE, CERE 
MONY, AND ETIQUETTE THE DEAN OF THE CORPS THE CEREMONIAL 
FUNCTIONS EXERCISED BY COURTESY BY THE DEAN MR., MRS. AND 
MADMOISELLE PRESTON VISCOUNT AND VISCOUNTESS DE NOGUEIRAS 
BARON DE FAVA MR. MELSBROECK COUNT AND COUNTESS D ARSCHOT 
SIR LIONEL WEST THE MISSES WEST MR. AND MRS. EDWARDES SENOR 
AND SENORA ROMERO MR. AND MADAME DE STRUVE BARON AND 
BARONESS ROSEN MR. GREGER MR. ROUSTAN COUNT SALA. 

(rrpJ IPLOMATIC ministers of thir y of the greater and lesser powers of 
flL f both hemispheres reside near the government of the United States, 
\r$*) and constitute one of the interesting features of the higher social life of 
the American Capital. The personnel of the Diplomatic corps comprises 
twenty-five Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, two Min 
isters Resident, and two charges d Affaires, with sixteen First Secretaries, 
sixteen general Secretaries, three counsellors, three chancellors, three Military 
attache s, two Naval attache s, seventeen diplomatic attaches, two translators, 
and one interpreter of legation. 

The rank of Ambassador, the only one having the representative character, 
does not appear in the Diplomatic Corps at Washington; that of Envoy, ac 
credited to the President of the United States, being the highest. The rank 
of Ambassador is recognized by the Constitution, but the title, with its inter 
national significance, has not been given to a diplomatic minister of the Uni 
ted States to a foreign court, and therefore Ministers of such court at Wash 
ington have been of less rank. It is the practice of nations to appoint recip 
rocally diplomatic agents of equal grade. To prevent rivalries among repre 
sentatives of different nations of unequal rank in the scale of international im 
portance residing at Washington the legations are officially designated in al 
phabetical order. This is in accordance with the seven rules of diplomatic 
precedence enunciated by the Congress of Vienna, 1815, and of the Congress 
of Aix la Chapelle, 1881, and recognized by the United States. This estab 
lishes three classes, Envoys, Ministers, Ministers Resident, or other persons, 
accredited to sovereigns, and Charge s d Affaires, accredited to Ministers 
of Foreign Affairs, ad hoc or per interim. Under the same authority, the or 
der of individual precedence of diplomatic ministers at Washington is de 
termined by seniority of consecutive residence from date of presenting cre 
dentials. The senior under these regulations is known as the Dean or Doyen 
of the Diplomatic Corps. Wherever this brilliant assemblage of the repre- 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 49 

sentatives cf crowned heads and foreign rulers appears in a body the Dean 
is at their head and presents his colleagues upon all official or ceremonial oc 
casions. There are also a few foreigners of culture and means resident at the 
American capital for pleasure, instruction, or for special objects or duty. 

The Ministers and Secretaries and their ladies constitute a social circle of 
their own. They are regarded in the light of guests of tfce nation, and hold 
quasi-official relations with the Department of State. On all occasions of 
state ceremonials or e iquette, when participants, they appear in brilliant 
court costume, and form part of the suite of the President. 

The members of the Diplomatic Corps at Washington are governed by cer 
tain rules of etiquette, established by usage among themselves and with the 
Government, prominently the exchange of visits, the omission of which might 
lead to embarrassment in the transaction of business. In many instances the 
chiefs of legations and their secretaries belong to the titled classes of their 
countries, and are often men not only of inherited rank, but of statesmanship, 
learning and culture. Their ladies in many cases also represent prominent 
degrees in the order of feminine precedence and are types of form, beauty, 
accomplishments and grace of their country women. 

When an arriving Minister enters upon his duties he is received by the Sec 
retary of State at the Executive Mansion, and is presented to the President, 
to whom he delivers his letter of credence with appropriate remarks, to which 
the President briefly replies. There are also certain obligations of etiquette 
which are observed by the corps. Its members in a body make a call of con 
gratulation upon a new President soon after his inauguration. They also call 
formally at the Executive Mansion on New Year s day upon a formal note of 
invitation from the Secretary of State to each legation that the President 
would be pleased to see its members and their ladies. They appear in full 
dress, and are received in private audience by the President after the Cabinet 
and before the other members of the Government. They are then entertained 
at a diplomatic breakfast by the Secretary of State at his residence. 

On the same day they also make it a ceremonial duty to call, but not in a 
body, upon the Vice- President, or President pro tern, of the Senate, there 
being a vacancy in the former, the Chief Justice and members of the Supreme 
Court and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. They call at the 
houses of Senators, or Representatives, with whom they are acquainted. 
This, however, is optional. P or general occasions of etiquette the rule of the 
corps is for strangers always to call first. The last arriving member of the 
corps makes the first call on all his colleagues. After a diplomat has been re 
ceived by the President, he calls at the house of the Secretary of State. In 
England and some other European countries when there is a new Secretary for 
4 



cjo SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

Foreign Affairs, he announces the fact of his appointment, and that he would 
be glad to receive the members of the Diplomatic Corps. They then call. 
The Secretary then returns the call. As between Diplomats and other mem 
bers of the Cabinet other than of State, the last to enter upon his duties makes 
the first call. There has always been a disputed point as to the order of pre- 
cedeuce between Diplomats and Senators. The first rule was that a diplomat 
upon his arrival, after being presented, should make the first call upon a 
Senator, if he desired to meet him socially. This was never cordially re 
ceived. The rule next in vogue was the same as applied to Cabinet ministers. 
The rule now conceded is to make the first call on a Senator even if the dip 
lomat arrived last. This extension of the circle of calls of etiquette, how 
ever, is optional. Senators in many instances would not make first call. 
A diplomatic minister never calls upon the President, unless invited to do so 
or by special appointment, intercourse being through the Secretary of State. 
It is customary for the President to entertain the chief members and ladies of 
the Corps at a reception, and at a state dinner, once during the season. 
This is in recognition of the sovereigns or Executive authorities of the coun 
tries represented, and not to the Ministers as individuals. The President ac 
cepts no invitations in return. 

The ceremonial and official relations between the Diplomatic Corps as a 
body or as individuals, and the Executive Department of the government 
were inaugurated by the first administration, and have not varied since. The 
claim of personal intercourse was brought up by Count Moustier, the French 
Minister, but was promptly disposed of by President Washington, who direct 
ed that all questions of diplomacy must first go to the chief of the department 
of Foreign Affairs. 

The rules of social intercourse which apply to the ministers, apply to their 
ladies. This is the case within or beyond the circle of the corps. The ladies 
of the legations, however, as a rule do not much appear in the general soci 
ety of the capital. The intercourse of the ladies of the different legations 
among themselves is almost entirely of a strictly ceremonious character. The 
greater part of their social life except on occasions of etiquette or ceremony 
on the part of the government when they appear with their legations is con 
fined to a circle of personal acquaintances. 

The place of ceremonial precedence as Dean of the Corps Diplomatique is 
held by Mr. Stephen Preston of the Republic of Hayti. It is a coincidence 
of historic interest that the dean at the American Capital should represent the 
most thriving portion of the historic Hispaniola of Columbus, the site of the 
first Spanish colony, for a long time the seat of Spanish power in the New 
World, whence were fitted out the romantic explorations and conquests of 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 5! 

Mexico, Peru, the Islands of the Antilles and the Spanish Main and the 
first after the United States to throw off early European domination. The 
Republic of Hayti, about the size of the State of New Hampshire, and with 
about two hundred thousand (500,000) more population, occupying the west- 
ern portion of the island, holds intimate commercial relations with the United 
States. Minister Preston was born at Port au Prince, and was judge of the 
Court of Assize when s*ent in 1870 by President Nissage Sagetto Washington 
as Minister Resident. In 1873 he was raised to the full grade of Envoy. 
From 1884-6 he was accredited to the governments at London and Paris, 
but retained his diplomatic relations at Washington. 

Madame Preston was M lle Rose Alberga, of Kingston, Jamaica. She has 
two beautiful daughters. Madamoiselle Marie, a young lady, and M lle Rose 
Antoinette, who, having been educated in New York, is finishing in Paris, and 
will be the debutante of the Diplomatic Corps next season. The Minister s 
eldest son, Charles A. Preston, Secretary of Legation, married Margaret 
Hunt, of New York, where he resides. Stephen C. Preston is with his father 
in Washington. Henry A. and Edward Preston, and a younger son and 
daughter are with their mother in Europe. The Minister s children have all 
been educated in the United States, and, like their mother, are exceptionably 
handsome. The Minister himself is a man of very imposing presence, and 
courtly manner. His native tongue is French, but he speaks English fluently. 

The Viscount des Nogueiras, who began his diplomatic residence at Wash 
ington in 1878, represents Portugal, a Kingdom about the size of Indiana, 
with the population of Pennsylvania. He speaks English fluently, and is one 
of the most popular diplomats at Washington. He was secretary of the gov 
ernment of Fayal 1851, and Aveiro 1856. Was member of the chamber of 
Deputies, five times in the Cortes, Charge d Affaires in Peru and Chili and 
later Envoy to the United States. He is a diplomat and author, and about 
sixty-three years of age. 

Both himself and the Viscountess come of the most ancient and aristocratic 
blood of Portugal. His family name is Moniz de Bethencourt, he being the 
eleventh grandson of Manoel Affonso Sanha, gentleman of the Court of the 
Infant D. Fernando, Duke de Vizen, father of King D. Manoel. The family 
de Bethencourt has lived in the Island of Madeira ever since its discovery, 
and the name of de Bethencourt comes from an illustrious French family that 
lived in the Canary Islands, whose first conqueror was Jean de Bethencourt, 
Baron de St. Martin-le-Gaillard, Lord Chamberlain of John, Due de Bour- 
gogne. (Document in Latin, written in 1282.) 

The Viscountess Maria da Gra&lt;ja de Sousa de Pereira Coatinho, belongs to 
the house of de Sousa, one of the most illustrious and ancient of Portugal, 



52 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and of which she is the direct representative. It originated in a natural son 
of King D. Diniz by name Affonso Chichorro. Her ancestors have always 
had the highest position in the kingdom, and were Lords of the House of 
Villar de Perdizes, in the northern part of Portugal. 

M lle Mathilde Isabel de Sousa Moniz de Bethencourt, is a singer of won 
derful promise, her voice being a rich contralto. She is now in Paris, under 
going a course of musical instruction and training. Antonio Fernando de 
Sousa Moniz de Bethencourt, the Viscount s eldest son, a very bright young 
man, assists his father in the duties of the legation. The other children are 
Alexandre de Sousa and Jacintho de Sousa Moniz de Bethencourt. 

The representative of Italy, a Kingdom as large as Arizona, with one half 
the total population of the United States, is Baron de Fava, of a noble House 
of the land of blue skies, art, and song. The Baron and Baroness de Fava, 
the latter now absent in Europe, have been favorably known in society during 
their residence at Washington since 1881. Secretary Count Albert de Foresta 
has also been absent during the past season. Mr. E. Ferrara Dentice d Ac- 
cadia is the second Secretary. 

Belgium, the charming little kingdom of Leopold II, not quite the size of 
Maryland, with six times the population, is diplomatically represented by M. 
de Bounder de Melsbroeck, a native of Brussels. He entered the diplomatic 
service as attache at Lisbon, and rose successively to assistant secretary of 
Legation to the Holy See at Rome, Counsellor at the Hague, Florence and 
Paris, Minister Resident in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, and Envoy to the 
United States in 1881. He received a vote of thanks of his government for 
services during the Franco-Prussian war, and negotiated at Paris three con 
ventions respecting trademarks and postal affairs. 

Le Comte Gaston d Arschot, Counsellor of Legation of Belgium, born in 
Brussels, is descended from one of the most celebrated families of Europe. 
The Trophees du Duche" du Brabant records that in 1096 the daughter of Jean 
the first duke de Brabant, married Arnold, Count d Arschot. The duke gave 
his daughter as her wedding dovvry, the town of d Arschot, and adjacent ter 
ritory. In the crusades the head of the house of d Arschot joined Godfrey of 
Bouillion in the wars against the Infidels. The grandfather of the present 
Count was one of the founders of Belgian Independence in 1813. The Count 
himself inheriting the valor of his ancestors, after completing his education 
in 1860, entered the service of Pope Pius IX, in the Papal Zouaves, where he 
remained until 1866. He was then placed in command of a regiment of Bel 
gian chasseurs till 1868, when he entered the Diplomatic service as Attach6 
to the Legation at Washington. He served successively as Secretary at Mu 
nich, Berne, Paris, and London, and as Counsellor at Washington. 



THE DIPLOMATI CORPS. 53 

The Countess d Arschot is an American lady of beauty and accomplish- 
ments. She is the daughter of the distinguished engineer, C. E. Detmold, 
who built the New York Crystal Palace, in the fifties, and was interested in 
coal and railroad operations in Pennsylvania. 

The Honorable Sir Lionel S. Sackville West, K. C. M. G., represents the 
governmer.t of Queen Victoria at Washington. The kingdom of Great Brit 
ain with an area equal to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Dela 
ware, and three times the population, wields imperial sway over 3,000,000 
square miles in Australasia, 1,000,000 in Asia, 250,000 in Africa, and 3,500,- 
ooo square miles in North America, the latter nearly the entire area of the 
United States, but mostly uninhabitable, with an aggregate of over five times 
their population. Sir Lionel West is in the line of descent from Sir Thomas 
West, third Lord Delaware, who was Governor General of Virginia, and from 
whom the Delaware river received its name. The Minister is the fifth son of 
the fifth Earl Delaware His mother was Lady Elizabeth Sackville, descended 
from a Norman family at the time of the conqueror, and daughter and co 
heir of John Frederick, third Duke of Dorset. In 1845 he was assistant precis 
writer to Earl Aberdeen when Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Was attach^ at 
Lisbon and Berlin, Secretary at Turin, Madrid, Berlin, and Paris, often act 
ing as charg&lt;$ d affaires. Was Envoy at Paris during the absence of the Am 
bassador, and later Envoy at the Argentine Republic, Spain and the United 
States in 1881. He is a Knight of the order of St. Michael and St. George. 

The ladies of the minister s family are his three beautiful and accomplished 
daughters, Misses Victoria, Flora and Amalia West. The eldest presides 
over his household, keeps the accounts, arranges the social entertainments, 
invites the guests, and is in every way supreme. When she arrived in Wash 
ington she was but seventeen years of age. Born in France, as were her sis 
ters, and all educated in a French convent, she could not speak English, 
which, however, she has since acquired, and her only experience in English 
life, was a few weeks visit as the guest of Lady Derby, at Knowsley, Lan 
cashire, on her way to the United States. Upon her arrival she was intro 
duced to Washington society by a ball given in her honor by her father, 
the Minister at the British Legation. During the past season Miss Amalia 
West, the youngest, made her debut, the Minister giving a grand ball in honor 
of that social event. 

Hon. Henry George Edwardes, First Secretary of Legation, is the third 
son and brother of the present Baron of Kensington, who was Gladstone s 
"whip" in the late administration. He is descended from Tudor Trevor, of 
Wales, Lord of Hereford, A. D. 907, and is also in the same line of the fa 
mous Earls of Holland and Warwick. Mr. Edwardes, who is forty -three 



54 



SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



years of age, was Secretary at Pekin and Buenos Ayres, 1885, and joined the 
Legation at Washington, 1887. 

Mrs. Edwardes was Cecelia Eleuthera Douglass, daughter of Charles J. 
Bayley, Esq., C. B , Governor General of the Bahamas. She is very beau 
tiful, and a great favorite in a very select circle of fashionable life. 

Horace A. Helyar, Esq., the Second Secretary, a graduate of Trinity Col 
lege, and Mrs. Helyar, are very prominent in fashionable life. 

Ernest B. Lehman, Esq., Third Secretary, son of a prominent London 
merchant, and Mrs. Lehman, are also favorites in a large social circle. Cecil 
A. Spring Rice, Esq., Acting Third Secretary, a grandson of Lord Monteagle, 
Chancellor of the Exchequer in Lord Melbourne s administration, was Private 
Secretary to Lord Granville, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Rice retains 
his place in the Foreign Office, London, and is in Washington but temporarily. 

The sister Republic of the United States of Mexico, which covers an area 
equal to the aggregate size of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and 
Nevada, once Mexican territory, with one sixth the population of the United 
States, is ably represented by Senor Don Matias Romero Born in Oajaca, 
in the State of that name, of one of the oldest Mexican families, and having 
finished a course of law, he entered the Department of Foreign Affairs as Mer- 
itorio. He united his fortunes as a young man with Benito Juarez, afterwards 
President. He was private secretary to Ocampo, the chief minister to the 
Juarez government, and in 1859 was made Secretary of Legation at Wash 
ington. He was Charge d Affaires until 1863, when he returned to Mexico, 
and became Colonel and Chief of Staff to general-in-chief Porferio Diaz in the 
operations against the invading French, but the same year was sent to the 
United States as Envoy, remaining until 1868. During this time he rendered 
most important services to his country by building up a closer and better un 
derstanding between the two governments. Until 1882 when he arrived in 
Washington the second time as minister, he performed most distinguished ser 
vices in the cabinet, and was one of the foremost spirits in promoting the 
stability of Republican forms of government in Mexico, in strengthening in 
ternational relations with the United States, and in increasing the facilities of 
trade. 

Senora Dona Lucrecia Allen de Romero, the wife of the Mexican Minister, 
is one of the most attractive and hospitable ladies in Washington. She is the 
daughter of W. E. Allen, a Virginian by birth, and a Philadelphian by residence. 
Her mother was Miss Ackley, of Philadelphia, where Mrs. Romero was born. 
Her receptions in the season are among the most brilliant in Washington. 
First Secretary Senor Don Cayetano Romero, the youngest brother of the 
Minister, is a cultivated and accomplished gentleman. He is a superior pianist. 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 55 

Second Secretary Senor Don Vincente Morales, having held the same posi 
tion at Rome, was transferred to the United States. Senora Dona Guada- 
lupe Duran de Morales is a daughter of an officer in the Mexican army. Sec 
retaries Senors Don Francisco de P. Pasalagua and Manuel Pacheco y Schi- 
affino, and attache Senor Don Enrique Santibane are very capable young gen- 
thernen, just entering the career of diplomats. Senor Pacheco y Schiaffino has 
been promoted and transferred to London. Edward Gibbon, son of an Eng 
lish father and Mexican mother, who preceded him there, will succeed him 
here. 

Russia, the European area of which is less than two thirds that of the Uni 
ted States, with a population one fourth greater, and including her Asiatic 
possessions, covers more than double the size, and has one third more popu 
lation than the United States, is represented by Mr. Charles de Struve. He 
is the son of Wilhelm de Struve, of an Altoona German family of prominence, 
and a great astronomer, who went to Russia, was first Director of the 
Imperial Observatory at Pulkowo, near St. Petersburg, and was succeeded 
by his eldest son, Otto. Minister de Struve began his career in the Foreign 
Office at St. Petersburg. His familiarity with the intricacies of oriental diplo 
macy led to his assignment to a mission to Central Asia, where he was diplo 
matic adviser to the Russian Governor General of Turkestan. Thence he 
went to Japan, pending certain important diplomatic events between that em 
pire and Russia, remaining eight years. In 1882 he was transferred to Wash 
ington. He speaks the Sclavic and several languages of Asia, but has not 
entirely mastered English. He has returned to Russia on leave of absence^ 
with the laurels of a new treaty just concluded. 

Madame de Struve, a woman of great force of character and ability, is a 
pure type of a Russian lady. She is the daughter of General Annenkoff, 
Governor-General of Kiew, lately elevated to the high office of Comptroller 
General of the Empire. Their eldest daughter, Vera de Struve, is eleven. 
Madame de Struve has been at Nice during the past season with her children. 
The receptions and balls of the Russian Legation, which occupies the stately 
mansion, formally the residence of Governor Shepherd, are always among the 
most brilliant of the season. The Madame, who speaks English admirably, 
is a woman of great activity, about forty-five, though grey. When here, she 
daily takes her six children out driving, attends the Jockey Club races, and 
it is said by her friends is an expert at the American game of poker. 

During the absence of Mr. de Struve, Baron Roman Rosen, Consul Gen 
eral at New York, will act as Charge. The Baron belongs to a long line of 
Swedish nobles of Estonia, one of the Baltic Provinces, conquered and an 
nexed to Russia during the wars of Peter the Great. In 1868 Baron Rosen 



56 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

entered the Home P oreign Office, was First Secretary at Japan, and subse 
quently was made Consul General at New York. He is very handsome, with 
a face resembling the pictures of the Imperial members of the house of Ro 
manoff. 

Baroness Rosen was Elizabeth Odintsoff, of St. Petersburg, daughter ot 
General Odintsoff of the Russian army, and Military Governor of Nijni Nov 
gorod, the great oriental entrepot of Asiatic and European inland trade and 
commerce on the Volga. The Baroness is young, very beautiful, and very 
popular in Washington society, where she is well known through the ad inter 
im residence of the Baron. She was one of the prominent figures at the bap 
tism of the infant of Mrs. Whitney, wife of the Secretary of the Navy. 

Second Secretary Mr. Alexandre Greger is also very popular in Washing 
ton. He has a beautiful Russian Drosky, Russian horses, of the celebrated 
OrlofF stock, with a pedigree of one hundred and twenty years, and Russian 
groom, in native livery. He is an expert horseman, and is one of the leading 
spirits of the paper hunts which afford a great deal of spring amusement to the 
higher official diplomatic and fashionable social circles. After graduating at 
the University, he entered the Foreign Office at St. Petersburg, and having 
spent 1883 in foreign travel, was assigned to the Legation at Washington. 

The European Republic of France, sixty thousand square miles smaller 
than the State of Texas, with twenty-four times its population, has for its Di 
plomatic representative M. Theodore Roustan, of an influential family of Pro 
vence. Minister Roustan began his career in the consular service of his 
country, was minister to Tunis, and in 1882 was sent as Envoy to the United 
States. His services in Tunis were particularly important in the permanent 
establishment of French power in northern Africa. 

Count Maurice Sala, First Secretary, comes from an Italian family which be 
came French early in the last century. He served as a volunteer, though very 
young, in the Franco-Prussian war. He was afterwards in the Foreign Office, 
and for a few years in Servia when he was sent to the United States. 
Countess Sala was Emily Sanford daughter of Major John Sanford, U. S. 
army. She has been in Paris with her young son Antoine, and will return 
with the count in the fall. Captain Lottin, military attache from Etat-Major 
d Artillerie has been promoted to Chef d Escadron since his sojourn in the 
United States. Mr. Jules Boeufe, Chancellor, was transferred to Washington 
from New Orleans. 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 57 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS CONTINUED. 
COLONEL FREY MR. MRS. AND MISS CARTER MR. DE WECKHERLIN 

SENOR FLORES MR. VON ALVENSLEBEN, BARON ZEDTWITZ, AND MR. JEN- 
1SCH SENOR BECERRA MR. AND MRS. KUKI AND SECRETARY AKABANE 
SENOR PERALTA MR. AND MRS. DE REUTERSKIOLD SENOR QUESADA 
BARON AND BARONESS D lTAJUBA SENOR MURUAGA CHANG YEN HOON 
AND HIS ORIENTAL SUITE DOCTOR CORRAL DON DOMINGO AND SENORA 
DE GANA MAVROYENI BEY CHEVALIER VON TAVERA SENOR OLAVARRIA 
MR LOVENORN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF SALVADOR. URUQUAY, AND 
GUATEMALA. 

toLLOWING the accepted order of arrangement of the personnel of the 
circle of the Diplomatic Ministers of foreign countries at Washington, 
the interesting story is resumed at the Alpine Republic of Switzerland, 
not quite half the size of Indiana, with one third more inhabitants, which has 
in her diplomatic representative a gentleman entitled to the special con 
sideration of this Government and the American people. 

That personage is Col. Emile Frey, a native of the Canton of Basel, born 
in 1838, descended from a patrician family, distinguished in military and 
civil affairs and dating back to 1482. Four generations have served with the 
Swiss troops of the French army. His father was a Swiss Colonel- Brigadier. 
His mother was Harriet von Chatoney, descended from Hans von Chatoney, 
the sturdy Burgomaster of Morat during the siege of that stronghold by 
Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, whom the Swiss so disastrously routed. 
Col. Frey, after finishing his education at the University of Jena, came to the 
United States as the war of the rebellion was breaking out, and enlisted as a 
private in the 24th Illinois Volunteers, Col. Frederick Hecker. This regi 
ment formed part of Gen. U. S. Grant s First Brigade. Soon after Captain 
Frey recruited a company among the Swiss of Madison and Sinclair counties, 
Illinois, and joined the 82d Illinois Volunteers, of which he became Major. 
He served in the campaign of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettys 
burg. At the battle of Gettysburg he was taken prisoner, and for eighteen 
months was held as hostage for Captain Gordon, of the Confederates, who 
was condemned to death. Immediately after the war, 1865, he returned to 
his native land and entered public life. He was member and President of the 
government of the Canton of Baselland, 1866-72. Member of the National 
Council (Congress) 1872-82, of which he was President one year. He was 
also deputized to receive Ex-President Grant upon his arrival in Switzerland. 



58 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Colonel Frey joined the diplomatic corps, as Minister Plenipotentiary at 
Washington, in 1882. He is a widower. 

Major Karl Kloss, Secretary of Legation, whose sister was the wife of 
Minister Frey, is a major of Swiss artillery. His father was a refugee from 
Poland after the revolution of 1831. 

The insular kingdom of the Pacific, Hawaii, the size of Connecticut, with 
one-tenth its population, is represented by Mr. H. A. P. Carter, who bears 
a striking resemblance to the pictures of the Prince Consort of England. He 
was born in Honolulu, of American parents. His father, J. O. Carter, of 
Charlestown, Massachusetts, carried on large commercial operations as early 
as 1830, with Mexico, California, and the coast, as far as Alaska, and with the 
Pacific Islands, finally settling at Honolulu. His mother was Hannah Tru- 
fant, from near Augusta, Maine, whose parents were residents at Honululu. 
Minister Carter entered the diplomatic service as Envoy, 1878, to England, 
and served successively at the courts of Germany, France, Portugal, and the 
United States, 1883. 

The wife of Minister Carter was Sybil A. Judd, daughter of Dr. Gerritt P. 
Judd, a lay member and physician of the American Board of Foreign Missions 
to the Sandwich Islands in 1826, and a man of great distinction and influence 
in the island. He was raised by the king Kamehamaha (the lonely one) 
to the post of political adviser, and later was chief of the government and 
founder and organizer of its present form, which supplemented the prior sav 
age institutions. The minister s daughter, Frances Isabelle, or Miss Belle 
Carter, is a charming young lady. His second daughter, Agnes, is at school 
at Northampton, Mass., where she will graduate next year. A still younger 
daughter, under a governess, is at home. The eldest son, Charles Carter, is a 
student at the Michigan University, and will graduate this year, and enter the 
profession of law. The second son, George, is a student at the Sheffield sci 
entific school of Yale. He is one of the foremost athletes of the college, "be 
longs to the University crew, and the foot-ball team. 

Mr. G. de Weckherlin, the minister Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Neth" 
lands, about half the area of West Virginia, with seven times its people, is a 
native of the Hague After receiving an education at the Gymnasium, and 
finishing at the University of Leyden, as Doctor of Laws, he entered, 1864, the 
Foreign Office. During the war of 1866 he was sent on a special duty to Ger 
many ; was Secretary at Vienna during the pendency of the Luxembourg ques 
tion; Charge d Affaires to the Holy See, and Secretary at Brussels. In 1872, 
returning to Rome, he was Charge^ of the Italian government. He was trans 
ferred to the Asiatic service as Minister Resident at Japan. After several 
years traveling in Burmah, India, and Africa, he was appointed, 1882, Minis 
ter Resident at Washington, and two years later raised to his present grade. 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 59 

The Andean Republic of Ecuador, perched amid the peaks of Cotopaxi, 
Chimborazo and Cayambe, and astride the equatorial meridian, the size of 
Texas, with the population of New Jersey, takes its place in the Diplomatic 
Corps in the person of Senor D. Antonie Flores. 

Minister Flores, born in Quito, is the son of General Juan Jose" Flores, the 
founder of the Republic of Ecuador, and its first President. He has been 
Minister to Peru, Chili, United States, France, England, the Holy See, Ger 
many, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, and for the second time, 1884, to the 
United States. He has been in the Senate of Ecuador, and served under his 
father, at the first taking of Guayaquil in 1863, where he was wounded. In 
1883 he commanded a brigade at the siege and attack of Guayaquil, and was 
one of the first to enter the town, contributing greatly to the success of the un 
dertaking by his personal bravery and daring. He is a scholar, poet, and a 
"litterateur." 

Minister Flores was married in 1872 to the very accomplished and beauti 
ful daughter, deceased at twenty-three years of age, of Domingo L. Ruiz, for 
merly a planter in Cuba, and naturalized an American citizen. Her mother 
was Mme. Pauline Cerault de Ruiz, a niece of Madame Chegaray whose name 
has been venerated in so many households in the United States for three 
quarters of a century. Madame Flores, born in Havanna, and educated in 
the United States, spoke several languages, was a fine musician, and received 
great attention in Washington society. 

The German Empire, not quite as large as the States of Colorado and Ne 
vada, with a population nearly as great as the United States, has for its Envoy 
a most accomplished and courtly gentleman in Mr. H. von Alvensleben. He 
bears a strong resemblance to the pictures of the Crown Prince. He belongs 
to one of the oldest noble families of Altmark, distinguished alike in the mili 
tary and civil service of Prussia, and the Empire and holds estates which have 
been inherited through six centuries. 

M. von Alvensleben was Secretary of Legation at Washington 1867-71. 
After returning and serving in the foreign office at Berlin, he was made P irst 
Secretary at St. Petersburg, Consul General at Bucharest, Envoy to the 
Hague, and in 1884 to the United States. 

The Counsellor of Legation, Baron von Zedtwitz, of an ancient Saxon 
family, is a captain of the Saxon regiment of Carbiniers. He has been Sec 
retary of Legation at St. Petersburg, Japan, Stockholm, and 1886 United 
States. He is an accomplished pianist. 

Mr. M. Rucker Jenisch, Attache, is from an old Hamburg family of wealth 
and influence. He is a lieutenant of Uhlans, his regiment being stationed at 
Pottsdam, the favorite rural retreat of Frederick the Great. He entered the 



60 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

diplomatic service in 1886, and was sent to Washington. Chancellor P. W. 
Buddecke has been connected with the legation at Washington for thirty 
years. 

Sefior D. Ricardo Becerra, Envoy since 1884, Senora and Senorita de Be- 
cerra, Mr. F. Mutis Duran, Secretary, Senors D. Luis Tanco and Francisco 
L. Becarra, Attaches, compose an interesting diplomatic group, representing 
the Cordilleran Republic of Columbia, which also embraces the isthmian strip 
of Panama, which connects the northern and southern continents of the 
American hemisphere. 

Japan, the "Sunrise Kingdom," the size of Dakota, with two thirds the 
population of the United States, is represented by Mr. Jusanmi Riuichi Kuki, 
a gentleman of education, culture, and travel, and thirty-five years of age. At 
sixteen he was Superintendent of Education in his native district. At nine 
teen he was employed in simliar duties by the Central Government. At 
twenty he was sent to Europe to investigate the political, industrial, and edu 
cational science of the occidental world, and upon his return rendered important 
services in the re-organization of the Government, filling various high offices 
of state. In 1884 he was made Envoy to the United States. Madame Hatsu 
Kuki, a Japanese lady of intelligence and beauty, is very popular in Washing. 
ton social circles. She has acquired the English language, and has adopted 
American styles of dress, in which she exhibits excellent taste. 

Secretary Shiro Akaban6 was educated in the United States, and returning 
home in 1876, served on the tariff committee of the foreign department during 
treaty revision. He subsequently entered the diplomatic service as Secretary 
at Berlin, serving successively in Corea, at St. Petersburg, part of the time 
acting as minister, and was assigned to Washington in 1885. He speaks En 
glish fluently. 

Attache Kamenosuke Misaki was educated in English at Osaka, and the 
Tokio University, and admitted to the bar. He entered politics as a conserv 
ative and defended the new Constitution in the native press, subsequently ed 
iting the newspaper organ of the conservatives, and lectured on jurisprudence. 
In 1884 he was appointed to the legation to enable him to prosecute his 
knowledge of law. 

Naval Attache Lieutenant Makoto Saito graduated from the naval academy 
of Japan in 1879, and served in the navy. In 1884 he was assigned to the 
legation at Washington, and in 1 886 accompanied the Japanese minister o^ 
the Navy on his tour of naval inspection in the United States and England. 

Attache Kikujiro Saigo, is a son of General Takamori Saigo, the warrior 
and statesman of Japan, who was instrumental in overthrowing the Tycoon 
and restoring the imperial government of the Mikado. Young Saigo was 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 6 1 

educated in the United States, 1872. In 1878, his father having retired with 
his followers to his province Satsuma, young Saigo commanded part of his army 
in a number of battles against the governmental forces, in one of which he 
lost a leg. Having after his father s death surrendered, 1885, he was made 
Attache at Washington. His uncle is minister of the Japanese Navy. 

Mr. Masakazu Noma, now twenty years of age, was educated in English, 
after serving as clerk in the Foreign Office at Tokio, was made Attache at 
Washington in 1885. 

Senor D. Manuel M. Peralta, forty years of age, though absent during the 
past season, has figured prominently as the representative of Costa Rica, a 
country not as large as West Virginia and one fourth the population. Hav 
ing served as Secretary at Paris and London, and on a special mission to Pope 
Pio IX, he was made Minister Resident to the United States, 1876. He 
signed, towards the close of the Grant administration, a treaty of neutrality of 
the Nicarauguan canal and its control by an international board of directors. 
He was Envoy to Belgium, France, and Spain, and the United States, 1885. He 
also represented Salvador. In the International Canal Congress at Paris, 
1879, under Lesseps, he sustained the American delegates in favor of the 
Nicarauguan route. He belongs to a number of geographical and scientific 
societies, and is an author and historian of high ability. Senor D. Carlos 
Saenz is Attach^ of legation. 

Mr. L. de Reuterskiold, is the Envoy of the Kingdom of Sweden and Nor 
way, which, covers an area a trifle larger than Texas, with four times the popu 
lation. He is a native of Stockholm, born in 1843, a graduate of the famous 
University of Upsala. In 1863 he entered the diplomatic service as Attache" 
at Paris, and served successively in the home Foreign Office, Secretary at St. 
Petersburg, First Secretary at Paris, and in 1884 Envoy to the United States. 
The minister is a pure type of a Scandinavian. He is a favorite of the royal 
family of his country, in the summer of 1886 having accompanied them in 
their summer journeyings. Madame cle Reuterskiold is a native of Stockholm. 
They were married in 1877, and thereafter resided at the capitals of Europe, 
where M. de Reuterskiold was in the diplomatic service of his country, and 
were very popular in fashionable circles. In Washington society the Minister 
of the United Kingdoms of the Scandinavian Peninsula and his charming 
wife are also in great demand. 

Secretary Charles Woxen, a native of the Norwegian capital, served as 
Attache^ and Secretary at the different capitals of Europe, prior to his arrival 
in the United States. Mr. Sigurd Ibsen, Attache", is a son of the celebrated 
Norwegian poet and dramatist, Henrick Ibsen. 

The Argentine Republic, which traverses thirty degrees of latitude in the 



62 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

extreme southern portion of South America, covering an area equal to one 
third the United States, with one twenty fifth their population, has for its 
Envoy Serior D. Vincente G. Quesada, a gentleman of high cultivation. He 
is a widower. His daughter is very handsome and accomplished. 

The great empire of the American hemisphere, Brazil, but one ninth less 
in area than the United States, with one fifth the population, is represented 
by Marcos Antonio de Araujo, Baron de Itajuba. He was born 1842, at 
Hamburg, where his father was then acting as Brazilian Charg6 d Affaires. 
With his father s promotion as Minister to Berlin, in 1851, he proceeded to 
that city, attended the University of Berlin, and graduated at Gottingen. 
Immediately after, 1863 he became Attache" of the Brazilian legation at the 
German capital. In 1 866 he served in the Foreign Office at Rio de Janeiro, 
1867 was Attach^ at Paris, and 1874 First Secretary. In the meantime he was 
acting Secretary to the Viscount de Itajuba, (his father,) Brazilian Arbitrator 
in the Alabama Claims before the Geneva Tribunal, in 1871-72. 

The Viscount de Itajuba, having retired 1881, Baron de Itajuba was made 
Chargd d Affaires in France, 1884 he was sent as Minister Resident in Spain. 
After a few months he was appointed Envoy to the United States. 

Baron de Itajuba is very popular in the diplomatic circle of Washington, is 
a good linguist, speaking several foreign languages as fluently as his mother 
tongue. His family is of Portugese origin. In Brazil it is from the interior 
province of Minas. 

The Baroness de Itajuba is a lady of varied attractions, and like her distin 
guished husband, is also very popular. She is a daughter of Counsellor Pereira 
da Silva member of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies for forty years, and 
one of the most distinguished parliamentarians, orators, financiers, and histo 
rians of the Empire. 

Secretary Jose* Augusto Ferreira da Costa, is a native of Pernambuco, and 
began his career in the diplomatic service in 1874, as Attachd at St. Peters 
burg, and successively at London and Berlin, until he became Secretary at 
Washington, 1885. 

Second Secretary, Jose" Coelho Gomes, served ten years as an officer in the 
Brazilian navy, and in 1883 was made Attach 6 at Washington. Mrs. Gomes 
was Miss Hatcher, of Lafayette, Indiana, cousin of the wife of Representa 
tive R. R. Hitt, of Illinois. They met in Washington and were married in 
1885. 

Sefior D. Emilio de Muruaga, fifty-six years of age, representative of the 
Spanish portion of the Iberian Peninsula, which embraces the area and popu 
lation of the New England and Middle States of the United States, is a native 
of Biscay. He is the son of a distinguished officer of the Spanish army who 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 63 

was murdered by the Carlists. He entered the diplomatic service as Attach^ 
at Paris, 1848, served in the foreign office at Madrid, as Secretary at Monte 
video, Washington, 1855, Rome, Washington, 1857, Vienna, and St. Peters 
burg, where he was Charge d Affaires, and secured the recognition of Alfonso 
as King of Spain by Russia. He was Envoy to Mexico, 1875, Counsellor 
of State at Madrid, 1881, and Envoy to the United States, 1886. He speaks 
five languages. He is a widower. His wife, a Russian lady of high accom 
plishments, whom he married there, died and was buried in Mexico. The 
minister s step-daughter is married to Mr. Yturbe, of one of the ancient famil 
ies and largest land owners in Mexico. They reside in Paris. 

Senor D. Miguel de Florez Garcia, First Secretary, was in the diplomatic 
service before he arrived at Washington. He married in Constantinople. 

Senor D. Jose Felipe Sagrario, Second Secretary, is a gentleman of fine 
attainments. Senora de Sagrario, wife of the Secretary, is a French lady, 
and Senorita Maria Sagrario, his daughter, in society, is very pretty. 

Senor D. Francisco Gordon Du Bosc, Third Secretary, is the son of a 
Spanish father and English mother, and one of the popular younger members 
of the corps. Senor D. Jos& de Pedroso, Attach^, is son of Marquis de Ped- 
roso, of Cuba. 

The oriental potentate, Kwang Su, who rules over the oldest and most 
populous Empire, sends to the youngest and most populous Republic an Em 
bassy composed of fifteen officials of various grades and thirty native attend 
ants. The head of the Embassy, which is also accredited to Madrid and Lima, 
is Chang Yen Hoon, a middle-statured, vigorous Mongolian of fifty, is a na 
tive of Canton. He was granted the red button of the second rank, and dec 
orated with the peacock feather for services in putting down the rebels. He 
held the offices of Tao-tai, or intendant of circuit with supervision of customs 
and Provincial grand judge. He is of the third rank of the Inner Court. 

The First Secretary, Shu Cheon Pon, a middle-aged Chinese, of studious 
mien, was Charge" d Affaires at Peru under the orders of the last Minister. 

Secretary Jui Yuan, a member of the Manchurian nobles, twenty-eight 
jears of age, is a grandson of Marquis Ki, governor general, and later pre 
mier of the Empire. His father, General Rung, is now commander-in-chief 
of the Manchurian forces on the Russian frontiers. He entered the military 
service himself in 1874, and was promoted to the rank of prefect, and decora 
ted with the peacock feather for services against the rebels along the Amoor, 
and in the recapture of Kuldja. 

Pung Kwang Ju has had a varied career in the service of his country, and 
is now Secretary. 

The American Secretary, D. W. Bartlett, is the well known "Van" of the 



64 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Washington correspondents of ten to thirty years ago. He became American 
Secretary of the first Chinese Legation about ten years ago. Recently he re 
ceived from the Mantchoo Sovereign a medal of the double silver star and 
golden dragon of the empire for long and faithful service. Mrs. Bartlett was 
Miss Julia Painter, of Cummington, Massachusetts, the home of the poet 
Bryant, and a lady of great intelligence and attractive manners. Her daugh 
ter Alice is also a favorite in society. 

Secretary and Translator, Ho Shen Ghee, a Cantonese, a sub-prefect, wear 
ing the button of the fifth rank, is thirty-seven years old, and a fine type of 
his race. Having received an English education at Hong Kcng, and served 
as translator and interpreter to the Police Magistrate s Court, and 1 ter under 
his own Government, he was assigned to the Embassy to the United States as 
Secretary. 

Mr. Liang Shung, also a Cantonese, twenty-four years of age, is a brother 
of the Commissioner of Finance at Nanking. The Liang family in the past 
century have reached a succession of high, official, and literary honors, an 
uncle and cousin having won the degrees of Literati, were made Governors 
of Peking, an honor unsurpassed during the past six dynasties of the Empire. 
When twelve years of age, at the request of Governor General Shun, he was 
made student in the Imperial Educational Mission at Hartford, Connecticut, 
studied two years at Amherst, and prepared for college in Phillips Academy, 
Andover, Massachusetts. In 1881 he joined the Commissioner of Finance at 
Peking, when he was assigned to the present Embassy. 

Of the Mongol members of the embassy those best known in Washington 
society are the translators Ho Shen Chee and Liang Shung. These linguists 
of the Orient always attend the Minister in official or social intercourse in 
Washington and mold the harsh accents of Anglo-Saxon into the phonetic 
euphemisms of the mandarin or court dialect of the East. 

Secretary Liang Ting Tsan, another Cantonese, is twenty-nine years of 
age. Eight generations of his ancestors have been distinguished in the Im 
perial service, which made his family conspicuous in the province of Quang- 
Tung. In 1876 he composed the best essay at the annual provincial examina 
tions, and was first in the competition before the Imperial Examiner. He 
was assigned to the Department of Finance at Pekin, and by brevet wears 
the peacock feather. In 1885 he was made Magistrate in the province of 
Quang-Se, but was the same year designated to his present place. 

The medicine man of the embassy, Yow Jir Shee, is well instructed in 
Western chirurgical art, and cares for the ailings of the Oriental anatomy of 
the diplomats of Kwang Su. The student interpreter is Koo Shun Ing. 
The Military Attaches, Mr. Chun Kut Sing and Mr. Ma Wang Yuan, devote 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 65 

their attention to studying the occidental crt of war. The. rest of the embassy 
is composed of Attaches Tsien Kwang To, Shue Chok, Chang Cho Shing, 
and Li Chun Kwan. They do the transcribing and clerical work of the lega 
tion, and fill out this brilliant group cf oriental figures in the diplomatic corps. 

The mountain Republic of Simon Bolivar, as large in area as the southern 
United States, with about one sixth the population, was represented during 
the past season by Doctor Cas miro Corral. He was distinguished in public 
affairs as Secretary of State, General of the Army, and Minister to Peru, and 
in 1886 to the United States. Upon his departure the Bolivian Legation was 
temporarily withdrawn fiom the diplomatic list at Wash ngton. The house 
hold of Minister Corral was presided over by his eldest married daughter, 
Seiiora Maria Corral de Moreno, under whose auspices her charming sister, 
the petite Senorita Daria Corral, made her debut in Washington society last 
winter. The Minister s two nieces, Senorita Pisarrozo and Senorita Nativi- 
dad Pisarrozo, were also among the young ladies of his household, and at 
tended school during the winter. Doctor Damaso Sanchez, Secretary, and 
Senor Daniel Lucero, Attache", were members of the legation. Minister 
Corral being a candidate for President of Bolivia, took his departure for his 
native land, in order to give his candidacy his personal supervision. Wash 
ington never had a more esteemed diplomatic representative from the repub 
lics of the South, and in his elevation to the chief magistracy of his country 
the Government of the great Republic would feel a friendship strengthened 
by the ties of previous personal relations. 

The Republic of Chili, a narrow strip of territory, extending from the Pa 
cific Ocean inland to the snow-clad c.-ests of the Andes, and from Cape Horn 
within twelve degrees of the antarctic circle to the equator, constituting twice 
the area and the same population as Missouri, sends Sefior D. Domingo Gana 
as its Envoy. He is about forty-two years cf age, and was educated at the 
National Institute of Santiago de Chili, and graduated as a lawyer. P or 
many years he was Under Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 
and took an important part in shaping the foreign policy of his country. He 
participated in the conferences which took place at Arica, on board the man- 
of-war Lakawanna," when the Government of the United States offered 
its friendly offices as mediator to bring about a cessation of hostilities between 
Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, and put an end to the war. Minister Gana has been 
selected on several occasions by the popular vote to occupy a seat as Deputy- 
Representative in the National Congress of Chili. In 1882 he resigned, tem 
porarily, the Under Secretaryship of Foreign Affairs, to accept the mission to 
Mexico, and afterwards to Brazil, and to the United States, 1886. 

The Minister is accomplished and traveled; a good linguist, understanding 

5 



66 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Spanish, French, English, and Portuguese, and is very popular in fashionable 
circles. 

Senora Margarita Edwards de Gana, wife of the Minister, belongs to one 
of the most noted families of bankers in the Republic, ani of great social 
and political h.fluence. She was educated in the Convent of the Sacred 
Heart) in Santiago, which she continued during her many visits to Europe, 
and her long residence at the Court of Brazil, where she was the queen of a 
charmed social circle. She is endowed with many personal attractions, and 
is very popular. 

Senor Beltran Mathieu, Secretary of the Chilian Legation, is about thirty- 
three years of age, is a young lawyer of promise, and has already attained 
eminence in his profession in his country. He was elected a member of the 
National Congress, and was also selected by the people to fill the office of 
Prosecuting Attorney several times, in the Department in which he resides. 
His wife, who was Senorita Josefina Prito, is one of the pretty women ot 
Cor.cepcion, Southern Chile. She speaks English with grace and fluency. 

Don Manuel Freire, Second Secretary, is twenty-three years of age, and 
belongs to one of the most distinguished families in Chili. He is the grand 
son of Captain-General Ramon Freire, one of the notable generals of the 
war of independence of South America He is the son of the recent Presi 
dent of Chili, and his uncle is now the Secretary of Foreign Relations. He 
was educated at the National Institute of Santiago, and is a member of sev- 
eial public associations. 

The Ottoman Empire, about two thirds the size and the same population as 
the Uni .ed States, has a ne v repesentative in Mavroyeni Bey, who presented 
his credentials in March. He has had large diplomatic experience in Europe, 
and is a person of fine social qualities. Rustem Effendi, Secretary of Lega 
tion, has resided in Washington for some time. 

The bipartite government of Austria-Hungary, representinga German Mon 
archy and a Magyar Kingdom, covering an area in south-eastern Europe of 
about the size of Montana and Wyoming Territories, and about two thirds the 
population of the United States, has brought the recent diplomatic misunder 
standing to a close by the appointment of Chevalier Schmidt von Tavera, as 
Envoy at Washington, having presented his credentials in April, 1887. He 
first came to Washington in 1864, as Secretary. He was Chargd d Affaires 
later, serving until 1870. He was last counsellor of the Austrian Embassy at 
Berlin. 

Count Lippi Weissenfeld, Counsellor of Legation, was Charge* d Affaires 
during the recent misunderstanding. Baron Paumgartten is chancellor. 

The latest acquisition to the Diplomatic Corps is Senor D. J. A. Olavarria 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 67 

who relieved Senor D. A. M. Soteldo, as Charge d Affaires, of Venezuela. 
He is about fifty-three years of age, a resident of Caracas, the capital, and a 
director of the Bink of Venezuela. He visited the United States over twenty 
years ago. The present is his first public service, being charged with inviting 
the friendly offices of thi United States as mediator in the dispute between 
England and Venezuela relating to territory on the river Esequibo, which Ven 
ezuela claims was not in the original cession of portion of Dutch Guiana. The 
territory of Venezuela is about the size of the Southern sin tes west of the 
Mississippi, with less population. 

Senor D. Soteldo has resided in the United States a large share of his time 
for thirty years, much of it occupied in journalism. He has been made diplo 
matic adviser to the Foreign Office at Caracas. Senor D. Manuel F. Az- 
purna is Attache*. 

Mr. Paul L. E. de Lovenorn, Minister Resident of the royal archipelago of 
Denmark, which is the size of Maryland, and double the population, is de 
scended in the direct line from Paul Vendelbo, a native of Jutland, who going 
to Russia was made by Peter the Great tutor to the young Prince MenzinkoflT. 
Vencelbo subsequently entered the Russian army, and was soon made Adju 
tant-General. Returning to Denmark, his king, Frederick IV, er trusted 
him with important missions to the Courts of Europe, and for his services 
ennobled him and gave him the name Lovenorn, or Lion Eagle. Paul Lov 
enorn, his grandson, was a Danish admiral, distinguished in the French navy, 
and who, during that service, fought with great valor in the French fleet sent 
to America to aid the colonies in their war of Independence. Minister Resi 
dent Lovenorn is a grandson of the admiral. He entered the diplomatic ser 
vice in 1870, at London, served at St. Petersburg and Berlin, and became 
Minister-Resident at Washington, 1885. He is handsome, forty-three, un 
married, speaks English and several other languages. 

The Republic of Salvador is represented by Minister Resident Senor D. 
Miguel Velasco y Velasco. Uruguay by Senor D. Carlos Farini, who has 
been absent for some time, and Guatemala by Senor D. Enrique Toriello, 
who resides in New York, both Charge" d Affaires. 



68 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER IX. 
DIPLOMACY AND ETIQUETTE. 

THE RULE OF INTERCOURSE ESTABLISHED EARLY MINISTERS JEFFERSON S 
LACK OF MANNERS PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO PUNISH THE ABUSE OF DI 
PLOMATIC PRIVILEGES A SOCIAL INCIDENT PRESIDENT MONROE FIXES 
THE SOCIAL RELATIONS OF FOREIGN MINISTERS AT THE EXECUTIVE MAN 
SION A REVOLT IN THE CABINET THE PRESIDENT S DAUGHTER RETALI 
ATES FOR AN ASSUMED SLIGHT RELATIONS BETTER UNDERSTOOD THE 
PLACE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE PRESENT RULES OF CEREMONIAL 
AND SOCIAL INTERCOURSE NECESSITY OF AN OFFICER OF CEREMONIES- 
SECRETARY EVARTS PLAN FOR DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL ENTERTAIN 
MENTS. 

BEFORE the permanent establishment of the official and social i stitu- 
tions of the government, the Diplomatic Corps exerted a positive influ 
ence in shaping public affairs. The foreign was then more important 
than the domestic policy of the nation. 

The overtures for recognition of the American colonies began within three 
months after the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, but nego 
tiations were conducted in foreign countries, whose friendship was courted. 
The alliance with France resulted in the appointment of a diplomatic agent 
before the close of the Revolution. The name of Duke de la Luzerne, repre 
sentative of France, is familiar in the social affairs of the day of the Confed 
eration. Pieter Van Berkel also resided near the government at Philadelphia 
as the Plenipotentiary of the States General of Urited Netherlands, chiefly to 
look after the interests of the Dutch holders of loans to the independent but 
bankrupt American Republic. 

The corps as a distinctive ieature in the social life of the seat of government 
of the United States began contemporaneously with the establishment of the 
government of 1789. The Marquis de Moustier, the French Minister, led off 
with a grand ball in honor of President Washington s inauguration. At the 
state dinner upon Mrs. Washington s arrival at New York, the capital, the 
French, Spanish, and Dutch Ministers were guests. 

While questions of official and social etiquette were still under censideration 
Marquis de Moustier, addressed a letter to President Washington, a few days 
after his inauguration, defining his idea of the mode of intercourse between 
himself and the President in order to pave the way for the transaction of fu 
ture business between the two nations. His real design was to secure a re 
cognition of personal intercourse. The Count asserted that it was not be 
neath the dignity of the President to transact business with a foreign minister, 



DIPLOMACY AND ETIQUETTE. 69 

and that a French nobleman might have intercourse with any sovereign. A 
few days after Washington replied to the Marquis that it would not be wise 
to depart from the usual method of negotiations, which was by writing 
through the head of the proper department. 

The overturn of the old regime in France brought Genet to the United 
States as the first Minister of the Republic. He was one of those irascible 
Frenchmen who figured so conspicuously in the days of the French Revolu 
tion. No sooner had he arrived in Philadelphia than he began the formation 
of democratic societies in imitation of the Jacobin clubs of Paris. The word 
"citizen " as a term of address was in vogue and the tri-color of France was 
common. He even complained at seeing the bust of Louis XVI in the ves 
tibule of the President s house, and finally conducted himself in such a man 
ner that Washington asked his recall. Genet was brother of the celebrated 
Madam Campan, under whose care E iza Monroe, daughter of the President, 
then a Diplomatic Minister, was educated at Paris. He married Cornelia 
Tappan Clinton, daughter of the Governor of New York, and settled there. 
The Government of Great Britain sent George Hammond as its Envoy in 
1791. A few years later he married one of the daughters of Andrew Allen, 
of Philadelphia. In 1796 Don Carlos d Vrujo, Minister of Spain, married 
Sally McKean, a great beauty and daughter of the Chief Justice of Pennsyl 
vania, Society belles of Philadelphia during Washington s administration 
became wives of the French, English and Spanish Envoys. About this time 
Alexander Baring, first Baron of Ashburton, who in 1842 negotiated with 
Daniel Webster the celebrated northern boundary treaty, arrived in Philadel 
phia as the representative of his father s London financial house. In 1798 he 
married Anne Louisa, eldest daughter of William Bingham, a Senator of the 
United States from Pennsylvania. 

The studied uncouth manners of Jefferson as President, which he never 
practiced at the courts of Europe, and which his admirers delighted to term 
"republican simplicity," but which were nothing more than the arts of a de 
magogue and entirely beneath the character and abilities of the author of the 
Declaration of Independence, on several occasions led to much unnecessary 
feeling among members of the Diplomatic Corps. When the British Envoy, 
Anthony Merry, was received by Secretary Madison at the President s house 
to present his letter of credence, the Secretary and Minister entered the au 
dience parlor only to find the President not there. They strolled towards the 
study and encountered him in a passageway in undress and slippers, under 
which circumstances the Minister was presented. On another occasion, at a 
state dinner, the President, who was conversing with Mrs. Madison, wife of 
the Secretary of State, who was presiding lady, in the absence of Mrs. Ran- 



7O SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

dolph, escorted Mrs. Madison to the table instead of Mrs. Merry, the wife of 
the British Minister, who was the principal lady guest. The Minister took 
it as an insult, and made it a subject of a communication to his Government. 
Secretary Madison, to head off any feeling, apprised Minister Monroe at 
London. Monroe was happy at the occurrence, as shortly before the wife of 
an English uncer secretary had been given precedence over his own wife. 
The matter was quietly permitted to drop, although Mrs. Merry never after 
wards attended entertainments at the President s, and Mr. Merry only offi 
cially. 

Jefferson s doctrine of pela mela, or social equality, at length led to some 
what of a rebellion among the Diplomatic Ministers. The point turned on 
the supposed degradation of an Envoy to the level of a Charg6 d Affaires. 
The President declined to decide the question, and informed the Ministers 
that they might fix their own ceremonies, but that no seats would be specially 
prepared for them at his table; that upon public occasions, with reference to 
heads of departments, with foreign Ministers and others invited, the same 
rule of equality would be adhered to. The British and Spanish Ministers, 
however, got ahead of the President on the precedents by pointing out that 
under the old government, and even in the ceremonies of introduction of the 
new government, the foreign Ministers were placed according to the order in 
which their government acknowledged by treaty the independence of the Uni 
ted States. 

During the second term of President Jefferson, the conduct of the Marquis 
d Yrujo, Minister Resident of Spain, growing out of differences between the 
two countries on the boundary question, led to a diplomatic incident in which 
the Senate was disposed to participate. The Minister was accused of attempt 
ing to bribe the editor of a Federal newspaper to support the Spanish cause. 
This he denied, but his recall was requested. The Spanish government re 
plied that he had already asked leave to return. The Marquis lingered in 
Washington, however. He was finally informed that his departure would be 
expected very soon. He replied that he would suit his own convenience, and 
the interests of his king; that the Minister of Spain received orders from his 
sovereign, and not from the United States. John Quincy Adams, who was 
familiar with the etiquette of foreign courts, took the matter in hand in the 
Senate, by introducing a bill " to prevent the abuse of the privileges of Foreign 
Ministers." It authorized the President, upon a violation of municipal laws 
by a foreign Minister to demand justice from his sovereign, and in event of 
hostility, or conspiracy against the government, or insult, or disrespect to 
wards the President, to order the offender t3 withdraw, and if he refused 
to send him to his sovereign, the President to signify the offense. Senator 



DIPLOMACY AND ETIQUETTE. 7 1 

Adams made a speech in support of the measure. The Administration doubt 
ed its pcltcy as implying discourtesy towards representatives of nations which 
had never offended. The recall of Yrujo was again asked and complied with. 
Had Spain declined the bill would have passed. With this vnderstanding it 
was defeated in the Senate. 

When Mr. Monroe entered the Department of State he established the 
practice of a member of the Cabinet returning the first visit and no other visit 
of a foreign minister. This was at variance with the practice of the European 
government where the ministers of State returned no vi its of foreign Min 
isters except Ambassadors. 

At the beginning of President Monroe s administration, the question of the 
President and wife accepting an invitation to a social entertainment of a For 
eign Minister was made an issue. At Mrs. Monroe s drawing room M. Hyde 
de Neuville, the French Minister, mentioned to the Secretary of State that he 
would give a grand fete in honor of the evacuation of France by the allied 
troops, and desired to have the President and Mrs. Monroe present. The 
subject was a matter of diplomatic negotiation by the Minister. When the 
question was brought to the President s attention by the Secretary of State, 
he expressed a willingness to gratify the Minister if there had been a single 
example since the existence of the Constitution of a President going to the 
house of a Foreign Minister. The President even went to the trouble of send 
ing for Major Jackson, who had been one of Washington s private secretaries) 
to consult him. From that source he was informed that reither Washington 
nor any other President, had ever been at the house of a Foreign Minister. 
The President determined not to break through the precedent. The question 
then turned upon Mrs. Monroe. The President consulted her, and accepted 
as her decision that it would not be proper for her to go where it was not 
proper for her husband to accompany her. The President directed Secretary 
Adams to inform the Minister that he would require his daughter, Mrs. Eliza 
Monroe Hay, to be present. 

The President s decision rather increased the complications. Mrs. Hay 
sent to Secretary Adams to see her before meeting De Neuville, Mrs. Mon 
roe, her mother, being present. Mrs. Hay said that she desired the Secretary 
of State to inform Mr. de Neuville that she would at the request of her father, 
though against her own inclinations, go to the ball, but upon condition, first, 
that her presence, under the circumstances, should leave her position with the 
ladies of the foreign Ministers precisely where it would have been had she not 
attended; that she would afterward neither visit them nor receive visits from 
them, nor accept any invitation to their parties ; second, that no rank or sta 
tion should be assigned her at the ball, no pretense of distinguishing her as 



72 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the President s daughter should be mule; that at supper she would, find her 
place somewhere among the Commodore s wives, bat no particular distinction 
must be shown her. As a third ultimatum she demanded that M. de Neuville 
might write to his own government whatever he pleased, but her name must be 
omitted in all accounts of the affair. She was willing to obey her father, and 
be present at the fete, but as the daughter of James Monroe, and not of Presi 
dent James Monroe. De Neuville accepted the terms quietly, but it resulted 
in an entire breaking off of social relations between Mrs. Hay and the ladies of 
the Diplomatic Corps. 

Previous to this time Presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Madison per 
mitted, to a certain degree, visits from Foreign Ministers, but as the social 
institutions of the government became more thoroughly established, and owirg 
to the recurrence of personal jealousies among the ministers themselves, likely 
to lead to international feeling, this privilege was withdrawn. The rule 
then established by the President authorized the presence of Foreign Ministers 

1. At private audiences requested by them. 

2. At drawing-rooms. 

3. At diplomatic dinners once or twice during the winter. 

No sooner had peace been restored on this point than a war of etiquette 
broke out in the Administration household. It had always been the custom 
for the President to invite the Secretary of State only to all his dinners to the 
Diplomatic Corps. There being no Ministers of ambassadorial rank, noques- 
tion was raised by the Diplomats themselves against the Secretary of State 
taking precedence of them on such occasions. A new feature, however, was 
introduced into the controversy by the Secretary of the Treasury, W. H. Craw 
ford, of Georgia. That gentleman having nearly captured the Presidential 
nomination from Mr. Monroe, and backed by a powerful minority in his party, 
was not willing to take a subordinate place on occasions of ceremony. The 
President was apprised by Secretary Crawford on behalf of himself, and the 
other heads of Executive Departments, that they expected to be placed on an 
entire equality with the Secretary of State, and objected to that officer alone 
being invited. The Diplomatic Ministers here took the subject up, repeating 
their willingness to yield precedence to the Secretary of State, but at dinners 
of ceremony they would not consent to being thrown to the foot of the table 
by four or five heads of departments. 

To avoid this new complication, the President when next entertaining the 
Foreign Ministers at dinner, excluded all the members of the Cabinet alike, 
and filled up the table by inviting the Navy Commissioners and respectable 
personages of the city. To this the Foreign Ministers objected on the ground 
of being invited with persons of inferior rank and private citizens, and further 



DIPLOMACY AND ETIQUETTE. 73 

objected to the absence of the Secretary of State, with whom they were asso 
ciated in their quasi-official relations. The President succumbed to the rea 
sonableness of this position, and at a later dinner given to the Diplomatic 
Corps invited the Secretary of State and wife as formerly had been customary. 
The Secretary, however, in order to quiet the threatened Cabinet crisis, ad 
vised the President to withdraw the invitation to himself, and to reconcile the 
differences by inviting one member of the Cabinet at a time, and in the accept 
ed order. This plan was adopted. 

Upon the occasion of the marriage of President Monroe s youngest daugh 
ter, Maria Hester Monroe, to her cousin, Samuel Lawrence Gouverneur, of 
New York, the Foreign Ministers being uncertain as to whether they would 
be expected to make a complimentary call in honor of the event, Pohtica, the 
Minister of Russia, visited Mrs. Adams, the wife of the Secretary of State, 
for information. She applied to Mrs. Hay to obtain her views. That lady, 
though not the presiding lady, as the daughter of the President, though she 
did not reside in the Executive Mansion, never visited at the houses of any 
of the Foreign Ministers, for the reason that their ladies did not pay her the 
first visit. Mrs. Hay, who seemed to have assumed the arrangement of the 
etiquette of the Administration, and who had involved it in a senseless war 
with the Diplomatic Corps to suit herself, decided that her youngest sister 
could not receive and return visits which she could not reciprocate, and there 
fore it was decided that the Foreign Ministers should take no notice of the 
marriage. A few days after, when the time for receiving visits of congratula- 
ation had been fixed, the President directed that the Foreign Ministers should 
be notified that they with their ladies might pay a wedding visit, and that the 
visit would be returned, but that it must stop there. As the notice had 
already been given to the ministers "that they were not to know that the 
President had a daughter married," it was decided to permit matters to rest, 
the ministers not calling. 

At the close of the administration of President Monroe, at a state dinner, 
an incident occurred which illustrates how international differences often work 
upon the feelings and decorum of the Ministers. Sir Charles Vaughn, the 
British Envoy, was seated at the table opposite the French Minister. The 
British Envoy, observing his diplomatic vis-a-vis biting his thumb, became 
very much irritated, and at length demanded across the table: "Do you bite 
your thumb at me, sir?" " I do," replied the Frenchman. Vaughn, leav 
ing the table, withdrew to the corridor, followed instantly by the French Min 
ister. Swords were drawn, and the excited diplomats were about to begin 
operations, when the President, observing them leave the table, followed them 
and entered the corridor in time to draw his own sword, which was still 



74 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

part of the full dress of the White House, and separated the would-be com 
batants. He ordered the Ministers into separate apartments, sent for -heir 
carriages, and dispatched them to their residences. The President returned 
to his guests. The Ministers next day apologized for their breach of pro 
priety. 

In later years the relations between the Government and the Diplomatic 
Corps have been better understood and established, and have but rarely re 
sulted in that friction which attends a variance of interests, leal or imagined, 
between nations. In the long period of ninety-eight years, the Government 
has demanded the re-call of but few diplomatic representatives who were ob 
jectionable. These were ministers Genet, of France, in 1793, d Yrujo, of 
Spain, in 1807, Jackson, of Great Britain, in 1809, and Pouissin, of France, 
in 1849. Crampton, of Great Britain, was handed his passports in 1856, and 
intercourse with Catacazy, of Russia, terminated in 1871. The concessions 
of President Monroe and Secretary of State J. Q. Adams to the ill-mannered 
social ambition of Secretary of the Treasury Crawford, was no compliment to 
their sense of propriety. The precedence of the Department of State in the 
Cabinet circle was not only established by the position always given it in 
legislative enactments and ceremonial usage, bu: furnished the stepping-stone 
to the Presidency of such men as Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy 
Adams, Van Buren, and Buchanan, and John Marshall to the Chief Justice 
ship of the United States. The Treasury in its list of chiefs has never had a 
single person who reached the Presidency, and the War Department, of all 
the rest, had only James Monroe for a few months, while Secretary of State, 
and General Grant, ad interim. 

The members of the Diplomatic Corps at Washington receive more gener 
ous social recognition than they do at other capitals. In return they have 
always contributed largely to the enjoyments and attractions of social life. 
Their entertainments have at times been among the most brilliant affairs of the 
season. Their participation in ceremonial occasions of the government has 
also been conspicuous. 

As a body the corps is now invited by the Secretary of State to call upon 
the President in private audience first after the members of the Administra 
tion on New Year s day. The President gives a ceremonial reception in 
honor of the Corps, and invites it as a body to a diplomatic dinner, and to all 
other sUte receptions during the season. They are also included in the list 
of participants in the pageant attending the inauguration of a President and 
on other suitable ceremonial occasions. As individuals they have personal 
audience in company with the Secretary of State upon presentation of cre 
dentials or on taking leave. They appear at public receptions and drawing 



DIPLOMACY AND ETIQUETTE. 75 

ooms at the Executive Mansion, and are received unofficially in private 
udience at their own request. 

The most serious omission in the organic law of the Executive branch of 
he Government is the absence of a Private Secretary to the President to be 
x-officio chief of a Bureau in the Executive office or the Department of State, 
aving control of questions of ceremony and precedence. The growth of 
be official personnel of the Government makes some provision of this kind 
operative, sooner or later. Such an official answering to the Master of Cere- 
lonies of other governments would prevent lapses of etiquette and often re- 
iculous mistakes on the part of the Government in communications to rulers 
f foreign countries, and would secure uniform arrangement of public cere- 
lonies in the personnel of the guests and of precedence. Strange as it may 
eera with the existing state of things, there is not an officer of the Govern- 
lentwho could properly deal with the presence of an ambassador of full rank 
t Washington. The Secretary of State is wrongly required to serve in cer- 
lin cases as the Master of Ceremonies and entertainer of the President. He 
ives diplomatic breakfasts and diplomatic dinners, and keeps open house in 
oing the society of the Administration. It is for this reason that wealth has 
ot infrequently superseded brains in the management of these most impor- 
int and delicate functions of the Government. At the lime William M. 
^varts was Premier, that generous entertainer contemplated establishing a 
recedent of holding the Diplomatic and other official social entertainments 
i the nature of receptions in the handsome communicating suite of salons, 
wo hundred and fifty feet in length, occupied by the Secretary of State and 
is assistants. Upon a careful investigation it was found that the use of 
tiese apartments for ceremonial entertainments, by the Premier v ould not in- 
onvenience public business, and would not cause any material expense to 
hie Government. The plan, however, was never carried into effect, although 
s a rule, it met with favorable comment by the thinking press of the country. 
)fficial hospitality has grown to such dimensions that popular sentiment will 
emand soir.e arrangement by which respectable citizens who visit the cap- 
;al, and are the real sovereigns, may enjoy at least a share in public enter- 
linments during the season, -without imposing upon the officer of the minis- 
ry, who is not furnished with a residence like the President, the burden of 
maintaining a costly private establishment for social duties, purely official. 




SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT. 
.-THE HEIR PRESUMPTIVE TO THE PRESIDENCY -THE SENATE ASSERTS TI 

DIGNITY OF THE OFFICE SECOND IN THE SCALE OF PRECEDENCE TI 
TITLE THE LATE VICE-PRESIDENT CLAIMS TO SOCIAL PRE-EMINEN" 
OF THE WIFE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT IGNORED A SOCIAL ANOMALY. 

specific provision of the National Constitution, the Vice-President 
the United States is the heir presumptive to the office of Preside] 
He is one of the only two officers of national election. By the requii 
ments of the Constitution he is chosen at the same time, in the same manm 
and for the same term as the President, but has no executive authority e 
cept when in the exercise of the duties of the chief office. He is then c oth 
with all the prerogatives of rank and authority. The Constitution also sj; 
cifically designates him as the President of the Senate, which makes him t 
first officer of the constituent chamber of the States of the Union. 

In the scale of official dignifies the Vice-President naturally occupies t 
second place as the constitutional successor to the first, and also as occupyi: 
ex-officio the first place in the second co-ordinate branch of the governmei 

The Senate, mindful of its own high functions, and of the dignity of its Pn 
ident, in arranging its forms of intercourse with other branches of the gover 
ment laid down the rule that the Vice-President of the United States and Pre 
dent of the Senate, as the representative head of their body, should only si: 
communications or enrolled bills to be sent to the President of the Unit 
States or in transmitting the thanks of Congress. All official communic 
tions, messages, or engrossed bills of the Senate sent to the lower branch 
Congress, or to any officer of less rank is signed by the Secretary 
the Senate. His office, in point of official propriety, and by recogniz 
precedent since the first in the line of Vice-Presidents, requires him to ma 
a call of ceremony upon the President only, which he does immediately aft 
the assembling of the Senate. The President, however, as in all cases, do 
not return the call. He is entitled to the first visit from the Chief Justice 
the United States, Senators, and all others, which he may return in pers&lt; 
or Ly card. 

The official title of the Vice-President was promptly determined at the ve 
beginning of the government. Pending the controversy about the Presiden 
title in the first Congress, Vice-President Adams became involved in a co 
test of his own with the members of the Senate as to his proper official desi 



THE VICE-PRESIDENT. 




78 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and a great leader in politics, was herself, through the strength of her woma 
ly character, the center of a large and influential circle of ladies. As wife 
the Vice-President, the President having no wife, she was disposed to he 
that she was entitled to social pre-eminence as First Lady of the Land, and 
that relation would be entitled to the place of principal lady at state social c( 
ernonials. In arranging the social code of his administration, Preside 
Cleveland, having invited his unmarried sister to preside over his househol 
determined that the members of the receiving party at his levees should 
limited to the ladies of the Cabinet. This excluded the wife of the Vice-Pr&lt; 
ident, who, however, was invited to assist Miss Cleveland at her drawir 
rooms. The Vice-President being second in the scale of official dignities, 1 
wife under the rules of precedence could not enjoy social pre-eminence a; 
right. 

The attempt to establish a rump court to take precedence of the Executi 
Mansion, the President having no wife to take the first place socially in ] 
household, was a modern innovation. Martha Randolph presided over t 
household of her father, President Jefferson, and when she was absent M 
Dolly P. Madison, the vivacious wife of his Secretary of State, matroriiz 
the Executive social entertainments. Emily Donelson, wife of Preside 
Jackson s protege and Private Secretary, performed the social duties of ] 
Administration. President Tyler s daughter, Lizzie, and his son s wife, A 
gelica Singleton, held that relation to domestic affairs until the President m; 
ried his second wife, the young and beautiful Julia Gardiner, who was but o 
year older than Mrs. Cleveland when she entered the Executive Mansic 
Harriet Lane, the niece of President Buchanan, made the social regime of] 
term exceptionally brilliant. The petite and winning Mrs. Mary Arthur IS 
Elroy, was the queen of the social surroundings of her brother, Preside 
Arthur, and Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, President Cleveland s sister, ] 
off in the social affairs of his administration. 

The right of these ladies to the social pre-eminence of the Iresider 
household, being there by his authority, was never questioned by those w 
constituted the highest circles of official life. 



THE PRESIDENT OK THE SENATE PRO TEMPORE. 79 



CHAPTER XL 
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE PRO TEMPORE. 

HIS PLACE IN THE SCALE OF DIGNITIES TAKEN OUT OF THE LINE OF PRESI 
DENTIAL SUCCESSION JOHN JAMES INGALLS HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE 
ANTI-SLAVERY STRUGGLES IN KANSAS HIS CAREER LEADING TO THE U. 
S SENATE-AS A SENATOR UNIQUE IN APPEARANCE AND GENIUS IN SO 
CIETY MRS. INGALLS. 

^-jrOHN JAMES INGALLS, a Senator of the United States from the State 
- I of Kansas, President of the Senate pro tempore, there being a vacancy 
(XiJ in the office of Vice-President of the United States and President cf the 
Senate, enjoys the official powers and prerogatives and social precedence of the 
second constitutional officer at the seat of government. 

The repeal of the act of 1792, which made the President of the Senate pro 
tempor^y and if none, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the legal 
successors to the Presidency, in the event of a vacancy in both the offices of 
President and Vice-President, and the substitution of the act of 1886, vesting 
the succession in the members of the Cabinet in their order of precedence, 
takes Mr. Ingalls out of the list of contingent successors to the first place in 
the nation. 

The President pro tempore thus legislated out of the line of Presidential 
succession, is not deprived, however, of his constitutional rank or authority 
as the chief officer of the second coordinate branch of the Government. In 
a parliamentary sense, he exercises more power than the Vice-President, as 
he has all the privileges of a Senator, which the Vice-President has not. He 
can vote on any question before the Senate, while the Vice-President, under 
the Constitution, can only give the deciding vote in case of a tie. He can 
leave the chair and participate in the debates of the body, in which the Vice- 
President has no voice whatever. He can introduce bills, which the Vice- 
President cannot. He can participate in the secret conferences for the ar 
rangement of questions of organization, parliamentary business, or politics of 
his party, which the Vice-President cannot, as a matter of right. He is en 
titled to all the social privileges of the Vice-Presidential office when vacant, 
and therefore is only expected to make a call in form upon the President at 
the opening of Congress, and receives the first call from all others. 

Mr. Ingalls, who now occupies this high office, represents the aggressive 
politics of the young and vigorous States of the West. His election by the 
Senate was due to that growing, restive spirit of the section of the country 
which furnishes the greatest Republican majorities, and where future partisan 



8o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

triumphs must be largely won. The inspiration of his public life was drawn 
from the thrilling political school in which he began his career three decades 
ago, and which he pursued amid the three epochs in national affairs, as a 
conspicuous figure during the throes of the slavery and anti-slavery struggles 
incident to the admission of the State of his adoption into the Union, in the 
sanguinary war which followed, and in the consummation of National recon 
struction. 

After completing his education and having compassed his admission to the 
bar of Essex, his ancestral and natal county, in Massachusetts, in 1858. he went 
to Kansas when the tempestuous times of the border troubles were at their 
height, and opened n. law office. It would have been unnatural for a young 
man of his spirit and ability, and full of the fire of twenty-five years of age, to 
witness the events transpiring around him, without taking his place on one 
side or the other. He at once became an outspoken "John Brown " Repub 
lican, and stood by him when that champion of universal freedom was de 
nounced as an enemy of mankind. He was one of the conspicuous figures of 
the Wyandotte constitutional convention of 1859, and promptly took sides 
against inserting the word "white" into the organic law of the embryo State. 
He went, step by step, from Secretary of the Territorial Council, 1860, to Sec 
retary of the first Kansas Senate, 1861, and a member of that body a year 
later. He served as field officer of Kansas volunteers in the war of the rebel 
lion, and eight years after, 1873, received the culminating recognition of his 
fellow-citizens by being chosen to a seat in the Senate of the United States. 

The people of Kansas have twice since shown their appreciation of the man, in 
his higher field of public service, by reelecting him, thus carrying his useful 
ness and maintaining the prominence which he has given to his State in the 
highest counsels of the nation through a period of eighteen years, when rounded 
to its limit. His elevation to the high constitutional office of President of the 
Senate, pro tetnpon , has added increased luster to the first State born out of 
the crisis in public affairs which solved the question of slavery in the United 
States forever. 

In the Senate Mr. Ingalls has always held a place in the front rank among 
the men of wit and debate. The instinctively aggressive tendencies of his 
nature have always found him on the frontiers of parliamentary deliberation 
and ever in open conflict. He never has been found lurking behind the am 
buscades of intrigue to carry the objective points of his purposes. He has 
never displayed the weakness of the demagogue in shifting his opinions and 
molding his periods to suit the ciprice of popularity. His versatility of 
knowledge and its ready availability in every emergency of fiery discussion 
fixes his natural place in the parliamentary arena. 



THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE PRO TEMPORE. 8 1 

The current of his commanding gifts may be traced back through eight 
generations of Puritan blood. Edmund and Francis Ingalls, brothers from 
England, founded the city of Lynn, in the colony of Massachusetts, in 1628, 
having come over with the Endicott colony. He was born two hundred and 
five years after at Middleton, Essex county, within ten miles of the original 
family seat. Rufus Ingalls, his father, still living at Haverhill, in the ances 
tral county, was first cousin of Mehitabel Ingalls, who was President Gar- 
field s grandmother. His mother, also living, whose name was Chase, be 
longs to the same family as the Chief Justice of the United States and Bishop 
Chase. 

Mr. Ingalls is a thoroughly developed partisan, of Republican convictions, 
on every question involving the interests of his party. All his tendencies are 
towards the floor rather than towards the chair, but in the dispassionate atti 
tude of presiding officer he exhibits the conservatism and equality of discrim 
ination, so essential to a successful parliamentarian. In his personal appear 
ance he is as unique as in his mental emanations. He stands upwards of six 
feet three inches in height, erect of carriage, and of an intensity of slender- 
ness of frame and meagerness of flesh decidedly striking. His head and 
bristling hair and face show forth the intellectual fire of his inner self. In his 
personal relations he is affable in manner and always approachable. He is a 
prominent figure wherever he appears in society. His mental attainments 
and the pungency of his conversational powers makes him brilliant and popu 
lar. 

Mrs. Ingalls, the wife of the eloquent Senator from the battle-ground of 
the slavery contests, is one of the interesting ladies of the Senatorial circle. 
She was Anna Louisa Chesebrough, a descendent of William Chesebrough, 
who came from Boston, Lincolnshire, England, and settling originally at Bos 
ton, Massachusetts, 1630, subsequently removed to Connecticut. Her father, 
an importer of New York city, where she was born, bankrupted in the finan 
cial cataclysm of 1857, gathering up the debris of his broken fortunes, settled 
in Atchison, Kansas, and regained his foothold in the business of life as an 
outfitter of trains embarking on a journey across the plains. Mrs. Ingalls, 
amid the cares of family, has adorned the Senator s social life at Washington 
with the same distinguished success which has attended his oivn career as one 
of the strikiug figures in the upper branch of Congress. Her eldest child, 
Ethel, is a beautiful and accomplished girl, not quite twenty. She will finish 
her education this year, and will be one of the society debutants of next sea 
son. Ellsworth Chesebrough Ingalls, a son, is attending law college in Wash 
ington. The other children of the Senator, are being prepared under the su 
pervision of their mother ior higher education. 



82 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XII. 
SENATORIAL PRECEDENCE. 

AMBASSADORS OF THE STATES THEIR FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE THREE 
COORDINATE BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT THE SENATE NEVER DIES 
THE SENATORIAL CIRCLE STATESMANSHIP, LEARNING, CULTURE, AND 
OPULENCE QUESTIONS OF PRECEDENCE A DIRECT ISSUE THE PRAC 
TICE SINCE PRECEDENCE IN THE GENERAL SOCIAL SCALE PRACTICALLY 
CONCEDED. 

tNDER the theory of the Constitution a Senator represents the body 
politic of a State. He may be said to be its Ambassador to the cen 
tral government of the Federal Union. There are at present thirty- 
eight cf these politico-seignorial jurisdictions, each represented by two Sena 
tors. With the ladies of their families they constitute a dignified and practi 
cally permanent element in official and social life at the seat of government. 

A Senator, as a member of the constituent assembly of the States, unites 
the three-fold character of legislator, executive, and judge. He, therefore, 
exerts a potential influence in governmental affairs in every direction. As 
legislators Senators hold equal power with Representatives, having the power 
of amendment or concurrence in all measures before they assume the char 
acter of legislation. In the exercise of constitutional executive functions they 
: confirm ambassadors, other public ministers, consuls, Judges of the Supreme 
Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are 
not specifically otherwise provided for in the Constitution." 

President Washington had not been in office six months before the Senate 
rejected one of his appointments. It was sufficient to intimate that the person 
was objectionable to the Senators from Georgia. Washington sent a spe 
cial message to the Senate, but accompanied it with the name of a new ap 
pointee. This was the origin of what has always been termed "the cour 
tesy of the Senate." It has been the cohesive force which gives a single 
Senator the power of the whole body, and makes his dignity and authority 
equal to that of the President himself. The prestige cf this exalting influ 
ence has been properly maintained with scrupulous regard from the begin 
ning by the older Senators. They also share with the Executive the manage 
ment of foreign affairs. In addition to the requirement that all diplomatic 
ministers shall be confirmed by them before they are clothed with complete 
authority to act, no treaty with a foreign power is of any force whatever under 
the Constitution until ratified and approved by the Senators. They have also 
the power to amend a treaty already signed by the representatives of the 



SENATORIAL PRECEDENCE. 83 

President, and it is even held on good authority that the Senators may pro 
pose a treaty. In their judicial capacity they constitute the high court of im 
peachment, having the "sole power," under the Constitution, to try all im 
peachments prepared by the House of Representatives. 

In all the great republics of antiquity the members of the upper branch of 
the law-making power have been known as Senators, made up of the elders 
or nobles, and were a check to tyranny on the one hand and the rabble on the 
other. The Senators of the United States have been no exception to the his 
toric rank and title of their place in the official and social autonomy of govern 
ment and society. As a rule the American Senators have been men of states 
manship, learning, wealih, and influence, and have maintained, in nil respects, 
the parallel of dignity and authority of their prototypes in the Greek, Roman, 
and Italian Republics, modified only by the conditions of modern civilization. 

Theoretically, the Senate is the same body to-day that it was nearly a cen 
tury ago, notwithstanding the changes in the constituent elements of its per 
sonnel. It never happens that more than one third the Senators retire at the 
same time, always leaving two thirds of its experienced members in the Sen 
ate. Presidents of the United States are chosen quadrennially, and Repre 
sentatives biennially, but the Senate goes on as long as the Republic lasts. 
The fact that the Senate never dies materializes the idea cf permancy in its 
acts, and gives the prestige of security and stability in the exercise of the 
treaty making power by the United States with foreign governments. 

The Senators, therefore, constitute in the society of the capital a circle of 
their own, which contributes to the dignity of all ceremonial and social occa 
sions. The residence of Senators in the fiftieth Congress, to the end of the 
terms for which they have been elected, that is 1889, 1891 and 1893, represent 
ing the three classes, presents a Senatorial longevity of over eight years. 

The Senatorial circle as a whole, next to the Justices Supreme Court, 
makes up the most permanent class of residents in official society, even ex 
ceeding the average official tenure of the members of the Executive. Not 
only does this contribute another element of consideration to the dignity of the 
Senatorial office, but it encourages its members to live in a manner becoming 
their high station officially and socially. A majority of the Senators keep 
house, and entertain, their ladies constituting a brilliant circle in the fashion 
able gayeties of the capital. Not a few of the Senators live in opulence. 

Pending the discussion of titles in the first Congress, the question was 
raised as to whether Senators should be styled " Honorable " in the minutes. 
Vice-President Adams objected to "Honorable," unless the work "Right" 
preceded it, making it Right Honorable, upon the ground that the title " Hon 
orable ; was a colonial appellation, and applied to justices of courts. The 



84 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Senate voted down the use of any titles in the minutes, and inferentially op 
posed the application of any title except the constitutional one, "Senator." 
It was the original form for the President of the Senate to address the mem 
bers as " Gentlemen of the Senate." John C. Calhouu, when Vice-President 
of the United States and President of the Senate, 1825-32, introduced the con 
stitutional form, "Senators." This is the proper form in conversation, and 
in the superscription of communications either of an official or social charac 
ter. Senators sign their names officially, U. S. S., (United States Senate.) 

In the earliest days of the government there were differences, more or less 
heated and stubborn, respecting the place of a Senator in the scale of official 
dignities and social precedence. The controversies were between the Sena 
tors and members of the Cabinet, and incidentally with the members of the 
Diplomatic Corps. President Washington, whose dignity and sense of official 
propriety may ever be accepted as an ensample of greatness in matters of de 
corum, as in acts of war and statesmanship, always manifested the most pro 
found respect for the office of Senator. He regarded the Senators, as a body, 
his only constitutional counsellors. He recogni/ed their prerogatives in his 
visits to the Senate for consultation with them upon questions coming within 
their powers under the Constitution, and often involving measures of public 
policy. The most sumptuous apartment adjacent to the Senate is " The Pres 
ident s Room." Here the President invites Senators into his counsels, or re 
mains for the convenience of public business at certain times. When he 
communicates in person with the Senators at the capitol, it is in his own 
room. He never goes upon the floor of the Senate, and never visits the 
House of Representatives. 

It is another significant fact, showing the precedence of the Senators over 
members of the Cabinet that the proposition in the Constitutional Convention 
of 1787 to give the President of the United States a Council of State proposed 
as its personnel the President of the Senate, who might be a Senator, the 
Chief Justice and such ministers as might be established for foreign or do 
mestic affairs, war, finance, or marine, in that order of precedence. Several 
propositions were made, all of which were rejected. Therefore, there exists 
no Constitutional Council of State other than the Senators in their advice and 
consent to appointments and treaties with foreign countries. The chiefs of 
Executive Departments were the creatures of legislative enactments some 
months after the Government went into operation, and subject to the direction 
and authority of the President. Possessing no power, except ministerial, 
they were naturally drawn into his counsels. 

When Aaron Burr was a Senator, 1791-7, the question of precedence be 
tween a Senator and member of the Cabinet was vigorously agitated. A rule 



SENATORIAL PRECEDENCE. 85 

was adopted by the Senators that it was only their duty to make a first call 
upon the President of the United States. The existence of such a rule has 
become traditional among the Senators, although the rule itself cannot be 
found recorded. It is referred to as "a secret record of the Senators in 
which regulations are inscribed touching their relative claims to consideration 
on all social occasions, public or private." 

A distinctive issue was made on the question of precedence during the first 
Administration of President Monroe. Immediately after the new year s 
ceremonies, 1817, John Garllard, of South Carolina, President of the Senate 
pro tempon, and his colleague, William Smith, called upon Mr. Adams, Sec 
retary of State, to inquire whether "there had been any new system of eti 
quette established with regard to visiting." Mr. Gaillard observed that there 
had been a rule adopted by the Senators when Aaron Burr was a member, and 
drawn by him, that the Senators should visit only the President of the United 
States. They also mentioned that they had been referred to a book in which 
i he rule was recorded. 

To this Mr. Adams replied that he had been a member of the Senate for 
five years, but had never heard of the rule ; that it had been his custom as 
a Senator at the commencement of every session to pay the first visit to all the 
heads of departments, supposing that to have been the universal practice, 
though since his last arrival he had learned that it was different. 

The persistence of Secretary Adams and some of the other members of the 
Administration in their refusal to make the first call in form upon Senators, 
and the similar refusal of the wives of such persons to make the first visit to 
the wives of Senators at the beginning of each session of Congress, created so 
much disturbance between the Senators and Cabinet Ministers that the sub 
ject assumed the magnitude of a question of State. Upon the assembling of 
the fifteenth Congress a deputation of Senators called upon the President and 
complained to him that the Secretary of State refused to pay them the first 
visit. The President expressed his wish to his ministers that the heads of 
Departments should agree upon some uniform rule respecting calls of etiquette. 
The point raised by the Senators was that a formal visit in person or by 
card, was due from the heads of the Executive Departments at the commence 
ment of every session of Congress to every Senator upon his arrival at the 
seat of gove-inment, ancf that the omission of such visits was withholding from 
the Senators a proper mark of respect, and impliedly by expecting such a for 
mality from them. 

At a special Cabinet meeting the President favored the claim of the Senators. 
The same rule he thought would apply to the wives of Senators. The Cabi 
net Ministers did not coincide with (he President, but admitted that they had 



86 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

followed no uniform practice. After two hours discussion, they wound up 
where they began, understanding that each one should follow his own course. 
Mr. Adams rule was to separate the official from the social in matters of visit 
ing, also to include the ladies of the Senators families. Mr. Crawford, Sec 
retary of the Treasury, and Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of War, were willing to 
adopt that rule, but their wives refused to comply, as they had always made 
it a practice to pay the first visit to the wives of all Senators and Representa 
tives, and would not change. 

In order to define his position, Secretary Adam s addressed a letter to the 
President, and also to the Vice-President, explaining his views, which sub 
stantially covered the points above presented, but expressed his disposition to 
conform to any rule which the President would advise. In his letter to the 
Vice-President he mentioned that he made it a practice at the commencement 
of each session of Congress to call upon the presiding officer of each House, 
"not from a sense of obligation, but of propriety." He also noted that his 
wife "acted upon the same principle with regard to ladies" of the families 
of Senators and Representatives. The principle upon which the Senators 
rested their claims, was their constitutional powers as a component part in 
certain defined duties of the Supreme Executive. 

The direct issue made on the question of Senatorial precedence during the ad 
ministration of President Monroe, had the effect of introducing closer atten 
tion to the social intercourse of different members of the government. The 
practice has been more common of late years, for members of the Cabinet to 
recognize the precedence of Senators. While it has never taken the character 
of a uniform rule, it has had the endorsement of usage. The Senators have 
never receded from their position as taking precedence over members of the 
Cabinet. 

It is customary for the Secretary of State, at the beginning of each session 
of Congress, to enclose his official card to each Senator, which now takes the 
place of a call. The number of the Senators have reached that proportion 
that a call in person would be a matter of positive inconvenience. The first 
call of a member of the Cabinet in person, is therefore confined to those Sen 
ators with whom he desires to maintain social relations. The members of 
the Diplomatic Corps concede precedence to the Senators on the ground that 
they are part of the treaty making power of the government, and are there 
fore entitled to such a mark of consideration. Social calls are optional. 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. "87 



CHAPTER XIII. 
THE SENIOR SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 

A SENATORIAL LEADER OF THE LEFT MRS. SHERMAN THE "PATRIARCH 

OF CONGRESS" MRS. MORRILL MISS SWAN "THE FATHER &lt;F THE 
SENATE" MRS. AND MISS EDMUNDS THE SENIOR SENATOR OF THE 
RIGHT SENATOR AND MRS. RANSOM SENATOR ALLISON MRS EX-SEN 
ATOR GRIMES THE "SILVER SENATOR" MRS. JONES SENATOR AND 
MRS. DAWES MISS DAWES SENATOR AND MRS. COCKRELL SENATOR 
AND MRS. MITCHELL A SENATORIAL BELLE SENATOR AND MRS. TELLER. 

&gt;/ftfOCIALLY there exists a cordiality and cohesiveness of relation among 
flfi the Senators and their ladies which gives the Senatorial circle its pres- 
tige of dignity and importance in the fashionable world of the capital. 

The custom of the Senate since its foundation as a recognition of the def 
erence and courtesy due to length of service in that body, has been to divide 
its membership into two general classes, known as the Senior and Junior Sen 
ators. The line of that courtesy is not fixed by any arbitrary duration ot 
service, but holds a relative application when Senators are brought into indi 
vidual parliamentary relation. 

A leading figure among the Senators is John Sherman, of Ohio. Mis ser 
vice in the lower House of Congress ante-dates that of any representative now 
in that body, having entered it in 1855. He was four times elected, and 
achieved sufficient prominence in the deliberations of the House to be the 
Republican candidate for Speaker, and was only overcome by a compromise 
combination on Penningtcn of New Jersey. He entered the Senate in 1861, 
or five years before the Senator of greatest length of service next to him, and 
with an intermission of four years, while Secretary of the Treasury in the 
Hayes administration, has remained there ever since. He has been elected 
five times, having just entered upon another term, which will carry him over 
to 1893. He has also filled the chair of President of the Senate protempore. 

To narrate the deeds of his progenitors and of himself would be to give a 
recital of some of the most important and stirring events in American history. 
His ancestors landed in Massachusetts but settled in Connecticut, among the 
earliest pioneers of New England. His great grandfather Daniel Sherman, a 
cousin of that sterling patriot Roger Sherman, was a hero of the Revolution. 
His grandfather Taylor Sherman, of Norwalk, Connecticut, a jurist of dis 
tinction, went to Ohio in 1805, three years after its admission into the Union. 
His grandmother was Elizabeth Stoddard, a linea descendant of Rev. Anthony 



88 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Sloddard, who settled in Boston in 1639. Her son Charles Robert Sherman, 
who was raised to the Supreme bench of Ohio in 1823, married Mary Hoyt, 
of Norwalk, Connecticut, his native place, in 1810, and the same year set 
tled in Lancaster, Ohio, where their son John Sherman was born thirteen 
years after. 

Written in the career of Senator Sherman is an active participation of forty 
years in the politics of the Whig party, beginning in 1848, and of the Repub 
lican party from its birth, having presided over its first convention in Ohio, 
1855. He was one of the foremost champions of its doctrin s in the anti- 
slavery discussions in the House of Representatives, of which he was a mem 
ber from 1855 to 1861. He was a staunch advocate in the Senate, which he 
entered in 1861, of every measure for the vigorous prosecution of the war for 
the suppression of the Rebellion, and later for the reconstruction of the Union. 
He was always in favor of an honest financial policy and the protection of 
American industries. Whether taken as parliamentarian, orator, politician or 
statesman, he stands the foremost man of his generation. He has the confi 
dence of every material interest and of every class of citizens. 

The social life of Senator Sherman is peculiarly interesting He is a man 
of genial instincts, but has a diffidence of manner which has erroneously given 
him the reputation of being cold and indifferent. His home circle is presided 
over by one of the best ot women. Mrs. Sherman was Cecelia Stewart, the 
only child of Judge James Stewart, of Mansfield, a member of that distin 
guished Pennsylvania Colonial and Revolutionary family of Scotch- Irish or 
igin. Added to her natural accomplishments is a superior education and 
an instinctive fondness for domestic life. When she became the wile of John 
Sherman, he was a young man cf twenty- five, just starting out in the duties 
of his profession, and the prominence of his political career. In his upward 
course from a rural attorney to.one of the foremost statesmen in the country, 
she has ever been the companion and ornament of his life. In her elegant 
Washington residence she entertains generously. Miss Mary Sherman adds 
to the attractions of the Senator s household. She is particularly popular 
among the younger members of society, highly educated, and of pleasing 
manners. 

The " Patriarch of Congress" is Justin S Merrill, of Vermont. He was 
born in 1810 in Strafford, about fifteen miles west of the Connecticut river, at 
White River Junction, where he now resides. His services in Congress began 
in the House cf Representatives in 1855, with Senntor Sherman, and in the 
Senate in 1867, thus giving him thirty-six years to the end of his present Sen 
atorial term, 1891. He and Senator Sherman, between whom there exists 
thirteen years difference ot ages, are the last of the still active conspicuous 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 89 

figures in congressional affairs under the old regime which passed into his 
tory with the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency and the seces 
sion of the States of the South. He was the author of the protective tariff 
legislation known as the " Morrill Tariff of 1861." He is a close student, fin 
ished writer and speaker. His speeches have the merit of the most exquisite 
essays. He has a distinguished appearance and is courtly in manner. He is 
a conversationalist of great popularity, and ranks with old time lights of fash 
ionable society in this respect. The Senator belongs to one of the early 
families of the Green Mountain State. His father was Colonel Morrill, of 
Revolutionary fame. The Senator began life as a merchant and banker, but 
retiring with an income of $15,000 a year, has devoted his attention apart from 
the duties of his public station to congenial agricultural pursuits upon his 
beautiful home estate in the Connecticut valley. 

The first lady in continuity of Senatorial residence at Washington is the 
wife of the Vermont Senator. She was Ruth Swan, of Stoughton, near Bos 
ton. Her father and brothers are eminently known in the medical profession. 
She is of aristocratic appearance, and presides over the Senator s handsome 
residence with great dignity and affability. She is assisted by her sister, Miss 
Swan, of middle years, vice-president of the Washington Asylum for Colored 
Women and Orphans, and who has an intimate knowledge of public questions, 
which makes her presence in the Senator s home particularly attractive to 
men of affa rs. 

The Senator s son, who is twenty-nine years of age, is interested in iron man 
ufacture in Alabama. 

The ladies of the Senatorial circle representing the social surroundings of 
the New England Senators form a distinctive feature in the fashionable life of 
Washington. They are noticeably clannish, with a sort of Bunker Hill pride 
in the glory of their forefathers. They are women of marked intellectuality 
and ill at ease as a rule, under the conventionalities of fashionable life. They 
do their social duties with an apparent sense of obligation rather than of 
pleasure. 

It is an interesting coincidence that Vermont in her Senators represents two 
of the three instances of exceptional length of Senatorial service. George F. 
Edmunds, "The Father of the Senate," was born in Vermont in 1828, not 
far from the picturesque shores of Lake Champlain. After serving in one or 
the other of the two branches of the Vermont Legislature 185410 1862 much 
of the time as Speaker or President pro tempore, he entered the Senate of the 
United States and has been there ever since. His new term will carry him 
one third into the last decade of the present century. The Senator is a man 
of judicial habits of thought and manner. He is often called " Saint Gerome " 



90 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

on account of his resemblance to that ecclesiastical celebrity. He is a man oi 
learning and logic. While he never grows enthusiastic over persons, he has 
a warm side for his friends. 

The second lady in rank in Senatorial longevity is Mrs. Edmunds, a daugh 
ter of Wyllys Lyman, of the Connecticut family of that name, whose father 
settled at the mouth of White river during the early part of the century. She 
is a granddaughter of Charles March, a Representative from Vermont in Con 
gress during the administration of Madison. Mrs. Edmunds is a lady cf small 
figure and quiet and retiring manner. Her daughter, Mary M. Edmunds, 
assists her in doing the honors of the elegant residence of the Senator. She 
is an excellent conversationalist and a fine equestrienne, her father and herself 
enjoying the healthful recreation of a gallop among the hills adjacent to the 
capital. 

The little "Diamond State," Delaware, in the days of William Penn, "the 
Territories of Pennsylvania, " is represented by a tall, slim, gray-haired, kindly 
bachelor, Eli Saulsbury, seventy years of age and in continuity of service, en 
titled to the courtesy of " Father 7 of the Democratic side of the Senate. He 
springs from the noted family of that name. He is one of three brothers, 
Willard, Gove, and Eli, who ran things in the Dover end of the little Com 
monwealth. He succeeded his brother Willard in the Senate in 1871. In the 
first contest Willard s brother-in-law, who had just been inaugurated Gov 
ernor, turned in for Eli, the Legislature being a tie, and secured his election; 
and, as a quieter, made the defeated brother Chancellor. The Senator, dur 
ing the season, has his niece, Miss Saulsbury, of Dover, a very agreeable 
young lady, visit him and attend to his social duties. She usually has with 
her some Delaware friends, who enjoy the fascinations of capital life with her. 

Next in point of years as a Senator, is Matt W. Ransom, a native of North 
Carolina, born in 1828, a planter and lawyer. He was a Peace Commissioner 
to the Confederate Congress, and afterwards one of the most able command 
ers in the Confederate service. He entered the United States Senate in 1872. 

The wife of Senator Ransom is a remarkable woman. She was Hattie 
Exum, of an old family of wealth and influence on the Roanoke river, where 
they still live. A story is told of the Senator when he ran for his first 
office, that of Attorney General of the "Old North State." There were 
many suitors for the hand of Miss Exum, the belle of the Roanoke valley. 
The Senator was then a Whig, one of the true blues cf the "Tar State " It 
was noised about that Miss Hattie would not accept his proffer cf marriage if 
he were defeated. The Whigs and Democrats who recognized in him one ol 
the most popular young men in the State vied with each other in giving him 
their support. When the returns were counted Ransom was elected by an 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 91 

almost unanimous vote, and the accomplished daughter of Roanoke became 
the wife of North Carolina s favorite son. 

Mrs. Ransom is one of the most highly educated ladies in the South. She 
reared and fitted each one of her six sons for college, and has the motherly satis 
faction of seeing two of her "boys " rising lawyers, one a prosperous farmer, 
another with the Senator as his private secretary, and two at the University 
of North Carolina. Her only daughter, Esther, is skilled in languages and 
painting, and will make her entrance into society next season. 

William B. Allison, of Iowa, is another of the interesting figures of the Sen- 
ate. lie is a year younger than Edmunds, and six years younger than Sher 
man. Born in Ohio in 1829, he studied law and was admitted to the bar of 
Mansfield, at the same time with his Senatorial cotemporary Sherman, but 
went to Iowa, 1857. He entered Congress in 1863, and the Senate ten years 
later. He has been a prominent figure in the deliberations of both Houses, 
and has been chairman of leading committees. In the formation of the Gar- 
field administration he declined the Secretaryship of the Treasury. 

The Senator a few years ago met with the loss of his wife, who was a great 
favorite in Washington society, under most distressing circumstances. She 
was Mary Neally, the niece and adopted daughter of Senator Grimes, of Iowa. 
Since the death of Mrs. Allison, Mrs. Grimes has presided over the house 
hold and social affairs of Senator Allison. Mrs. Grimes, who had long ex 
perience in public affairs with her husband, is one of the most remarkable 
elderly woman in Washington. Her acquaintance with public men and poli 
tics for a period of nearly forty years, gives her a fund of information of men 
and measures possessed by few persons living to-day. She is the center of a 
large circle of friends, some of them among the last of the historic men and 
women of the administration of President Lincoln. 

The "Silver Senator," John P. Jones of Nevada, is an Englishman by 
birth, in 1830, but the year after that domestic event, his parents settled in 
Ohio. He went to California with the pioneers, and with farming and 
mining, mingled the duties of a State legislator. He became prominent in 
the development of the mineral resources of Nevada, and in 1873 became one 
of its Senators. The Senator is a man of positive influence in his private and 
public relations. He is a staunch advocate of silver, the staple product of his 
constituents. 

Mrs, Jones was Georgiana F. Sullivan, the accomplished and beautiful 
daughter of Eugene F. Sullivan, of San Francisco, one of the earliest of the 
"Forty-niners." Her grandfather was Youndt, the celebrated pioneer and 
Indian fighter, who went to California some j ears m advance of the Argonauts 
of 49. Her mother also bore the hardships and adventures of a journey 



9 2 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

across the plains, at the time when the Mississippi river was the Ultima Thul 
of western civilization. Mrs. Jones was a great belle in her maiden days 
and being in her early thirties, is one of the active ladies in the Senator^ 
circle. The eldest of her three daughters is just entering her teens. Th 
Senators niece, Mertie Jones, daughter of Judge James M. Jones, of Clevt 
land, passed part of the season in Washington. 

Of the five Senators who entered in 1875, Senators Dawes and Cockre 
were alone re-elected in the last turn of the Senatorial wheel, which at th 
end of their terms in 1893, w ^ have given them eighteen consecutive years ( 
service. 

Senator Henry Laurens Dawes was born in Western Massachusetts sever 
ty-one years ago, but is remarkably well preserved, being in perfect vigor c 
intellect and body. He began life as a school teacher and editor, and was in th 
Legislature of his State four years as early as 1848. His congressional exp&lt; 
rience began in 1857. He was identified with the great parliamentary battle 
of the Republicans in those days. He served in nine Congresses before h 
entered the Senate of the United States as the successor of Charles Sumner. H 
is a strict party man and ready debater, participating freely in the discussio 
of a wide range of questions. 

The Senator s marriage was a pleasant little romance. When he left colleg 
he became teacher at the Sanderson academy, at Ashfield, Massachusett: 
Among his pupils was Electa A. Sanderson, one of the biightest young ladie 
in the school. Under his kind tuition she graduated with honor, and soo 
after became the wife of her preceptor, now the Senator from Massachusetts 
The Sanderson family were among the first settlers in the Connecticut valley 

The Senator s daughter, Anna Laurens Dawes, has tastes which run t 
weightier subjects than usually engage the literary inclinations of the feminin 
mind. As a writer on political subjects she exhibits a clear insight into th 
mazes of American politics. Her writings illustrate a remarkable strengt 
of intellect. Her work, "How we are Governed; an Explanation of th 
Constitution and Government of the United States; a Book for Young Pec 
pie," is the result of much research and close personal observation during he 
residence at W T ashirgton. An article, "The Hammer of the Gentiles, ai 
tracted great attention. An address, "The Modern Jew; His Present an 
Future," created widespread popularity, and was printed at the office of th 
American Hebrew, She is also a valued contributor to magazines. Asa typ 
of the coming generation of daughters cf America. Miss Dawes is one of th 
most prominent. At her home at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she establishe 
the "Wednesday Morning Club," consisting of about thirty young ladies 
which is said to be the finest woman s literary club in the United States. He 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 93 

home being in the romantic Berkshire Hills, through her acquaintance in 
Washington she has many persons of prominence visit that charming region 
during the summer, who give the club the benefit of their presence by lectures 
and readings. 

The Senator has two sons, one a lawyer in Chicago, and one in college. 

Francis Marion Ccckrell, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, fifty-three 
years ago, was educated there, studied his profession and practiced it there, 
but never held an office until he entered the Senate of the United States, 
which was twelve years ago. The best characterization of his hold upon the 
confidence and admiration of his fellow-citizens, was his third election, which 
gave him an extension of six years in his Senatorial career. 

One of the best-known ladies of the Southern Senatorial circle is Mrs. 
Cockrell. She was Anna Ewing, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Judge 
Ephraim Ewing, of the Supreme Court of that State. Mrs. Cockrell is one of 
the finest looking married ladies in Washington, being very tall and of queenly 
figure and grace. Her eldest daughter, \\ho is now eleven years of age and 
at school, gives promise of great beauty, and many accomplishments. 

John II. Mitchell, the genial and courtly Senator from the distant State of 
Oregon, went from western Pennsylvania, where he was born, fifty-two j ears 
ago, to California as a young lawyer, and to Oregon in 1 860, a year after it 
was admitted as a State. He was a lawyer of prominence and ability, and by 
a singular coincidence was in partnership with his present colleague in the 
Senate. His legislative experience was garnered in the State Senate of 
Oregon, during two out of his four years being its President. He entered 
the Senate in 1873, but in the whirligig of politics dropped out in 1879, and 
reappeared in 1885 to the great gratification of his party friends. 

The Senator s wife and daughter are very popular in Washington society. 
Mrs. Mitchell was Mattie E. Price, daughter of J. B. Price, a retired English 
merchant. Her daughter Mattie was one of the belles of the season. She is 
of petite figure, with a symmetrically tapering waist, the face of a Greek girl, a 
mouth modeled after cupid s bow, dark eyes luminous with emotion and a 
manner full of grace and vivacity. Excellent in conversation, either in her 
mother tongue or in the language of the gay Parisians, she is full of spirit and 
keeps her train of admirers in unceasing eagerness and enthusiasm. Miss 
Mitchell represents the training of the famous ladies seminary of Fontain- 
bleau. Her mother, anxious to give her the benefit of the highest culture, 
went to France and, placing her daughter at school, remained with her three 
years, during the entire time of her finishing course. They then returned to 
the United States. In 1885, after the election of the Senator to his present 
term, the mother and daughter again visited Europe, making the tour of all 



94 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the great capitals of the Old World. She was the most admired among the 
American young ladies at the Court levees of the President of the French Re 
public, and was specially honored at a reception given by the General of the 
French army. The return of Miss Mitchell and her mother to Washington 
was ihe occasion of cordial greetings in all circles of the higher fashionable 
life of the American capital. At the British Legation she was invited to a din 
ner given in her honor. Her presence, much sought for, is an attraction at 
the finest social gatherings. Mrs. Maggie L. Handy, another daughter, a 
beautiful young vvoman, resides with her husband, William Handy, in Wash 
ington. The Senator has a very interesting family in the children of his rirst 
wife. His eldest daughter is married to Jesse Benton Chapman, a lawyer of 
Tacoma, son of Professor Chapman, of University College, Ohio. The sec 
ond daughter, Jennie, is the wife of Jacob Fawcett, of Canton, Ohio, recently 
appointed judge. The Senator s son by this marriage is a lawyer at Seattle, 
W. T. 

Henry M. Teller, from New York, where he was born in 1830, went to 
Illinois twenty-eight years after as a young and ambitious lawyer, but 
three years later moved out to Colorado to grow up with the country. His 
success was so marked that he was chosen one of the first Senators of the 
United States from the Centennial S.ate, in the year of the first centennial of 
American Independence. He was invited into the Cabinet of President Arthur, 
after his installation in 1882, and upon the close of that administration in 1885 
was immediately returned to the Senate. 

Mrs. Teller was Harriet M. Bruce, of Allegheny county, New York, the 
native place of the Senator. Her daughter Emma is a young lady of unusual 
gifts of mind which are being strengthened and expanded by a thorough course 
at Wellesly Female College. 




THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 95 



CHAPTER XIV. 
THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES CONTINUED. 

SENATOR CAMERON SENATORS VOORHEES AND BECK SENATOR PLUMB- 
SENATOR BUTLER SENATOR HOAR SENATORS MORGAN, MCPHERSON, 
HARRIS, COKE, AXD HAMPTON SENATORS HAWLEY AND PLATT SENA 
TORS HALE, FRYE, ALDRICH, SAWYER, AND BLAIR SENATORS GORMAN, 
VEST, VANCE, PUGH, GEORGE, AND CALL THE LADIES OF THEIR FAMILIES. 
^ 

ONTINUING the story of the social surroundings of the Senators, we 
find, after those enjoying seniority of service, a number filling a middle 

j&gt; period of years, beginning 1877 to 1881, and ending 1889 to 1891. 

James Donald Cameron entered the Senate in 1877, at forty-four years of age, 
succeeding his father, who had been four times elected and had seen eighteen 
years of service. Growing up a man of business as a banker, at Middletown, 
Pennsylvania, where he was born, and railroad president, he also inherited 
skill in politics. With his Pennsylvania delegation he was recognized as a 
power iu the Republican conventions of i868- 76 and 1880, and was largely 
instrumental in preventing the nomination of Mr. Elaine, and afterwards in 
accomplishing the election of Hayes and Garfield. Although rarely heard in 
the debates of the Senate, he wields great influence. He is no orator, but his 
speeches are practical and convincing. 

His young, beautiful and admired wife and accomplished daughters have 
made the social life and surroundings of his home at the capital among the 
foremost centers of attraction in fashionable life. The present Mrs. Cameron 
was Elizabeth Sherman, daughter of Judge Charles Sherman, of Cleveland, 
the eldest brother of Senator and General Sherman. The first Mrs. Cameron 
was Miss McCormick, daughter of James McCormick, one of the most influ 
ential and wealthy citizens of Harrisburg, Pa. 

The Senator s daughter, Eliza Cameron, is the wife of W. H. Bradley, son 
of Justice Bradley, of the Supreme Court of the United States, and resides 
in Newark, N. J. Virginia Cameron is the wife of Lieut. Alexander Rodgers, 
of the United States cavalry, and son of Admiral C. R. P. Rodgers. Miss 
Mary Cameron, who is in society, is beautiful and accomplished. The next 
child is James McCormick Cameron. Two younger daughters, at school in 
New York, are Margueretta and Rachel. 

Senator Voorhees entered the Senate in 1877, upon the death of Oliver P. 
Morton. He is sixty years of age, and has been a prominent actor in the 
Congressional and social life of Washington much of the time since 1861. His 
tall and well proportioned physique has given him the popular soubriquet, 



96 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

"The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash." He has a fine voice, and is an excel 
lent speaker. 

A great affliction befel the household of the Senator and the circle of Sena 
torial ladies in the sudden death cf his \\ife, who was Anna Hardesty, daugh 
ter of an early planter of the Shenandoah valley, but who moved to Indian; 
where Mrs. Voorhees was born. The Senators daughter, Harriet Voorhees, i; 
well known in society. His eldest son, Charles Stewart Voorhees, represent: 
Washington Territory as a Delegate in Congress. Another son is the Sena 
tor s private secretary, and another a physician in New York. 

Senator James Burnie Beck, who is sixty-five years of age, possesses all th&lt; 
rugged virtues of his Scotch birth ar.d education. He began his career in th&lt; 
House of Representatives in 1867, remaining during four terms, and enterec 
the Senate in 1877. The Senator is a ready speaker and takes an active par 
in the discussion of most questions before the Senate. The unexpected deatl 
of Mrs. Beck deprived society of one of its most interesting members. Sh&lt; 
was Jane Washington Thornton, granddaughter of Colonel John Thornton, o 
Virginia, aid to General Washington and his first cousin. Her grandmother 
after whom she was named, was Washington s niece. In his will Washingtoi 
bequeathed one twentie th of his estate each to Jane Thornton and Bettie Lewis 
Bettie Beck, the Senator s daughter, is the accomplished wife of Major Creei 
Clay Goodloe, United States Marine Corps. A son, George Thornton Beck 
thirty years old, is a ranchman and farmer in Northern Wyoming. 

Preston B. Plumb, of Kansas, prominent on the floor of the Senate, as is hi: 
colleague distinguished in the chair, is fifty years of age, an Ohioan by birth 
but went to Kansas in 1856, where he filled various public positions and servec 
as an officer in the Rebellion. He was an entire stranger to Washington lift 
when he entered the Senate in 1877, but since has been one of its interesting 
figures. Mrs. Plumb, owing to ill health, has not appeared in society fo: 
some time. 

One of the most courtly gentlemen in the Senatorial circle is Matthew C 
Butler, of South Carolina. His mother was Jane T. Perry, youngest sistei 
of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, the hero of the battte of Lake Erie. Hi; 
father, who was a surgeon in the United States navy, met Miss Perry in New 
port, R. I. She was then a beautiful girl of nineteen. He resigned from th( 
navy. They were married, went to South Carolina, and made their home a 
the Butler family seat, Edgefield. The Senator s father was William Butler 
who succeeded Waddy Thompson in Congress in 1841. His uncle, Col. Piera 
M. Butler, Governor of South Carolina, commanded the Palmetto regiment ir 
the Mexican war, and was killed at Cherebusco. Senator Butler, after a careei 
at the bar and in the State Legislature, served with distinction in the Confeder 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 97 

ate service, losing a leg in one of the fiercest battles of the war, and entered the 
Sen.te in 1877. At that time he was forty-one years of age. 

Mrs Butler belongs to the best families of the Palmetto State, and, with her 
daughters, has always been the center of an attractive circle of friends in capital 
society. 

George F. Hoar, of Massachusetts, who has crossed the line of sixty in 
years, has been more or less prominent in political life in Massachusetts since 
1852. He was in the National Conventions of 1876, 1880 and 1884. presiding 
over that of 1880. He was one of the electoral commission of 1876. He 
is more of a collegian than a society man, has a number of degrees, and belongs 
to many learned societies. Mrs. Hoar mingles but little in society, owing to 
her health. 

John T. Morgan, of Alabama, born in 1824, started in political life as a 
Presidential elector at large in 1860, for Breckenridge and Lane. He rose 
from private to Bridgadier General in the Confederate service. Upon the re 
turn of peace he resumed the practice of law, continuing until his elevation to 
the Senate in 1877. The Senator is a gentleman of quiet manners, but inter 
esting in social conversaticn. Mrs. Morgan was Cornelia Willis, of Alabama. 
Her two daughters, Mary and Cornelia, are young ladies of great gentleness 
and winning ways. George Morgan, a son, is a merchant at Alma, Arkansas. 

In the Senatorial representation of New Jersey is John Roderi: McPherson, 
a Jersey City alderman, president of a gas company, a State Senator and Til- 
den elector before he entered the upper branch of Congress in 1877, at forty- 
four years of age. He entertains handsomely. Mrs. McPherson, who was 
a Miss Gregory, is a leader of Washington society, and forms one of that cir 
cle of married ladies who ornament the social life of the Democratic side of the 
Senate. Although politics has nothing to do with the gay life of the capital, 
it has some influence in bringing ladies into closer social intercourse than 
might otherwise occur. In the circ e of her friends she is very popular. She 
has a handsome son, Gregory, now a student at the Pennsylvania Military 
Academy. 

Among the Senators who also began their terms in 1877, are Isham G. 
Harris, of Tennessee, and Richard Coke, of Texas. After serving two terms 
in Congress, 1849 to l %53t Mr. Harris turned his attention to law and poli 
tics, having been elected Governor, and having served on the staff of the 
commanding general of the Confederate army of the Tennessee He per- 
sued his profession upon the restoration of peace until he entered the Senate. 
Senator Coke, a native of Virginia, went to Texas a few years after its inde 
pendence to practice law. He took up arms in the southern cause and was 
subsequently a udge, and resigned the governorship to e ter the Senate. 

7 



98 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

General Wade Hampton, like his colleague, belongs to one of the promi 
nent families of South Carolina in colonial, Revolutionary, State, and Na 
tional affairs. He was born in Charleston in 1818, rose to Governor and en 
tered the Senate of the United States in 1879. Mrs. Hampton, a daughter 
of Governor and Senator McDuffy, and her daughter Mary Singleton Hamp 
ton, fill a pleasant place in the Senatorial circle. Miss Hampton is tall, with 
a commanding figure, and remarkable powers of conversation. 

The State of Connecticut h:s in Gen. Joseph R. Hawleyand Orvill H. Platt, 
two Senators who figure prominently in the social life of Washington. Gen. 
Hawley is a descendant of Samuel Hawley, who settled at Strafford in 1639. 
His father, as a young man, went to North Carolina to seek his fortune and 
married there. Owing to this circumstance, Joseph R. Hawley was the only 
direct descendant of the settler of Strafford born outside the boundaries of 
Connecticut. He returned to Hartford as a young man and engaged in law 
and journalism. He was editor, Brevet Major General, Governor, President 
of the Convention of 1868, which nominated U. S. Grant for President, and 
Representative in Congress before he entered the United States Senate in 1881 . 

The Senator is socially represented by Miss Kate Foote, who has presided 
over his household since the death of her sister, Harriet Foote Hawley, during 
the season of 1885-6. Their aunt was the wife of Lyman Beecher, the mother 
of Heniy Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Miss Kate Foote, Ade 
line Hawley, cousin of the Senator, and Margaret Hawley, a niece and 
adopted daughter, make up the Senator s family. Miss Foote is the regular 
Washington correspondent of the Independent, New York, and contributor to 
the Century and other magazines. 

Senator Platt, a prominent figure, politically, officially and socially in Con 
necticut, where he was born in 1827, did not enter the social life of the 
National Capital until he did so as a Senator eight years ago. Mrs. Platt was 
Annie P. Bull, daughter of James B. Bull, residing near Towanda, Pa. She 
is a niece of Chief Justice Lewis, of Pennsylvania. Her father was also one 
of the pioneer editors of Bradford county and a Canal Commissioner of the 
early days. Mrs. Platt is a most estimable lady, and a great favorite in 
society. 

The State of Maine is represented in the Senatorial circle by Eugene Hale, 
who became a Senator in 1881, as the successor of Hannibal Hamlin, and Wil 
liam P. Frye, who entered upon the resignation of James G. Blaine, in 1881. 
Both gentlemen have distinguished records in National legislation in both 
Houses of Congress. Senator Hale declined the Postmaster Generalship in 
the Grant, and the Secretaryship of the Navy in the Hayes administrations, 
preferring the influence of his position in Congress. Senator Frye, with his 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 99 

colleague, is one of the foremost champions of the rights of American fisher 
men, a re .dy debator, forcible speaker, and an attractive member of Wash 
ington society. The Hale family settled in Massachusetts in 1630, at Newbury. 

The ladies of the families of the Senators from Maine are also well known 
and popular in society. Mrs, Hale was Mary Chandler, only child of the 
Michigan stalwart "Zack" Chandler, millionaire, Senator, Cabinet Minister 
and political leader in the days of the Senatorial oligarchy and heroic methods 
of political manipulation. Mrs. Frye was Caroline F. Spear, daughter of the 
brave old skipper, Captain Arch Spear, of Rockland, Me. His heroic deeds 
on the great deep are among the treasures of the folk-lore of the rock ribbed 
coast of the Pine Tree State. Her two charming daughters, Helen E., now 
Mrs. Wallace H. White, of Lewiston, Me., whose husband is a prominent 
lawyer, and Alice, now Mrs. Frank H. Briggs, of Auburne, Me., whose hus 
band is a fancy stock raiser are well known in Washington society. 

Nelson W. Aldrich is one of the handsome members of the Senatorial cir 
cle, and is in the pri.-ne of life, being forty-six. He began his active career 
as a merchant, but drifting into politics, was in the Providence council, Rhode 
Island Legislature, and was chosen Senator of the United States while still in 
the House of Representatives, 

Mrs. Aldrich was Abby P. Green, the beautiful ward of one of Providence s 
well-known merchants. Her daughter Lucy, will finish school this year, and 
will make her debut in Washington next winter. Her second daughter, Ab 
by, not in her teens, is under the instruction of a governess. There are also 
five boys in the Senator s family, who are being educated under the care of 
Mrs. Aldrich. 

Philetus Sawyer went westward with his parents from Vermont to New 
York, and as a young man of thirty-one, engaged in lumbering in Wisconsin, 
in which he amassed a large fortune. He has always been active in Repub 
lican State and National politics. He was in Congress from 1865 to 1873, 
and became a Senator in 1881. His wife was Malvina M. Iladley, also a na 
tive of Vermont. They were married in Essex county, New York. Mrs. 
Sawyer being an invalid, her daughter Mrs. Howard G. White, of Syracuse, 
New York, presides over her father s household during the season at Wash 
ington, and makes his social surroundings unusually attractive. 

Henry W. Blair, of New Hampshire, entered the Senate in 1879, after two 
terms spent in the House. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel through the 
war. He is fifty three years of age and takes an active interest in legislation 
to secure moral reforms. The Senators Scotch-Irish ancestors from London 
derry, Ireland, settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire. 

Mrs. Blair was Eliza A. Nelson, of Plymouth, N. H., daughter of Rev. 



100 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

William Nelson, an expounder of the faith of John Wesley, and intimate per 
sonal and life-long friend of President Pierce, who tendered him the appoint 
ment of chaplain of his regiment for the Mexican war. Mrs. Blair is a lady 
of abundant charitable work. She has from the beginning been connected with 
the establishment and struggles of the Garfield Hospital, Washington. The 
Senator and his amiable wife take an active part in the social gayeties of the 
capital during the season. 

Arthur P. Gorman is the politician of the Democratic side of the Senate. 
He began life as a page in the Senate. He has always played a prominent 
part in Maryland politics. He was forty-one years of age when, in 1881, he 
defeated William Pinkney White, a most astute politician, for a seat in the 
United States Senate. He was one of the most energetic leaders of the Cleve 
land campaign, of 1884, and has ever since enjoyed the closest relations with 
the administration. 

The Senator is represented socially by one of the leaders of Washington 
fashionable life. Mrs. Gorman is remembered at the picturesque and busy 
capital of Berks, in Pennsylvania, as the beautiful Hannah Donegan, daughter 
of Dr. Joseph Donegan, of Reading. \Vhen she became Mrs. Gorman she 
was the widow of Jordan Schwartz, one of the brightest lights of the Berks 
county bar. Arthur P. Gorman met and married in Washington this lady who 
has adorned his household during most of his rising career, from when still 
holding a subordinate place in the body of which he is now a distinguished mem 
ber. His dxughters, who inherit the attractions and gifts of their mother, are at 
school. A young son is his father s constant companion in his hours of leisure. 

George Graham Vest, of Missouri, born in Kentucky in 1830, a man of 
fine education, after serving a year in the Confederate army, was a Represent 
ative and Senator in the Confederate Congress, and entered the United States 
Senate in 1878. Senator Vest is a fine speaker, and equally popular in the 
Senate and in society. H^ is of Scotch-Irish descent. Both his paternal and 
maternal grandfathers served under Washington from the beginning to the 
close of the Revolutionary war. 

Mrs. Vest was Sarah E. Sneed, who was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, 
and was the daughter of Alexander Sneed, whose father was a Revolutionary 
soldier, and lived to the advanced age of one hundred and two years, having 
died at his son s residence near Danville, Kentucky, in the year 1855. Her 
mother s name was Campbell, belonging to the Campbell family near Abing- 
ton, Va. ; her grandfather, Col. William Campbell, commanded a regiment in 
the American army at the battle of King s mountain. 

Senator Vest has one daughter, the wife of G. P. B. Jackson, a lawyer re- 
tiding at Sedalia, Missouri. 

Zebulon B. v T ance, a native of Buncombe county, North Carolina, dating 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. IOI 

back to 1830, is one of the characters of the Fenatoiial and social circles. His 
conversational powers are unique and amusing, and his fund of good stories 
inexhaustible. He was in Congress from 1857 to 1861, when he took a dash 
at war at the head of a Confederate regiment, but was made Governor in 1862. 
In 1870 he applied for admission to the Senate, but was refused. Having 
been defeated in a second trial by bolters, and meanwhile elected Governor for 
the third lime, in 1879 he was again elected and was given his seat. The wife 
of the Senator was Florence Steele, of Louisville, Ky., but became Mrs. Vance 
after she had been Mrs. Martin She is a lady of many attractions, and has 
many friends in society, being the central figure of a large social circle. 

James L. Pugh, one of the working members of the Senate, is a Georgian, 
but went to Alabama in 1824, when four years of age. He was a Taylor Whig 
elector in 1848, a Buch:nan Democratic elector in 1856, and entered Congress 
in 1859, but left it when Alabama seceeded. He was in the Confederate ser 
vice as a private, but left that duty for a seat in the Confedera e Congress. 
He entered the Senate of the United States in 1880. 

Mrs. Pugh was Sara Serena Hunter, daughter of Gen. John L. Hunter, of 
South Carolina, who removed to Alabama in 1835, when his daughter was 
quite young. The Senator s daughter, Laura Theresa, is the wife of Alfred 
\V. Cochran, Assistant Journal Clerk of the House of Representatives, and 
another daughter is Mrs. J. D. Elliott, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has 
four sons, Edward L., James L., John C, and Henry L. Pugh. 

James Z. George was a private in Col. Jefferson Davis regiment of Missi- 
sippians in the Mexican war. He is the compiler of a number ot law Reports 
and Digests, voted for and signed the ordinance of secession of Mississippi, 
and went into the field. Hewss Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississip 
pi, which he resigned in 1 88 1 to take his seat in the Senate cf the United States. 

The Senator s wife was Elizabeth Young, of Carrollton, Mississippi. Her 
five daughters are Elizabeih, an exceedingly bright young lady who acts as 
private secretary to her father and represents him socially during her mother s 
absence; P annie, wife of Mr. T. J. George, merchant of Meriden; Emma, 
wife of Mr. J. B. Hemingway, lawyer of Jackson; Kate, wife of Mr. F. M. 
Aldridge, planter of Yazoo Delta, and Mary, the wife of Rev. William Hayne 
Leavell, a Congregational pastor near Boston, Massachusetts. He has four 
sons residing in Mississippi. 

Wilkinson Call, a Kentuckian by birth, was chosen to the United States 
Senate by the Florida Legislature immediately after the war of the Rebellion, 
but was refused admission. He again handed in credentials in 1879, as Sena 
torial Ambassador of the land of Flowers, and took his seat. Mrs. Call was 
Miss Carrie Simpkins of South Carolina. Her grandfather was a distinguished 

R pnrp^pntntivp in Cnncrrr*;*; from the Palmetto Slflte. 



102 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XV. 
THE JUNIOR SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 

SENATORS EVARTS, STANFORD, WILSON, CULLOM, FARWELL, SARIN, MAN- 
DERSON, PALMER, DOLPH, CHACE, SPOONER, BOWEN, AND THE LADIES 
OF THEIR FAMILIES SENATOR RIDDLEBERGER SENATORS KENNA, GIB 
SON, EUSTIS, BOWEN, COLQUITT, PAYNE, GRAY, BLACKBURN, WILSON, 
WALTHALL, JONES, BERRY THEIR LADIES. 

VA C MONG the Junior Senators are thase of the distinguished circle of the 
upper branch of Congress who are now in the first term of their Sena 
torial career. 

Senator \Villiam Maxwell EvartJ, of New York and the ladies of his family, 
are not strangers to Washington society. As Attorney General, and later as 
Secretary of State, he resided there, kept house, and entertained elegantly. 
Mrs. Evarts, who was Helen M. Wardner, of Windsor, Vt., is one of the old- 
time ladies in the dignity of her presence, the grace of her manner and the re 
serve of her conversation. Her father was a bank president at Windsor, 
State Treasurer of Vermont, and a man of large influence 

When Mr. Evarts graduated in 1873, at nineteen years of age, he went to 
Windsor, where he passed a year in the family of a married sister, Mrs. Tracy. 
During these early days he met the young lady who was destined to ornament 
the social side of his eminent career. He was admitted to the bar of New 
York in 1841, at the age of twenty three. Two years after he went to Wind 
sor, and took Miss Wardner for his bride, He returned to New York and 
embarked in the duties of life. His own genius as an orator and attorney 
gave him rank with O Conner, Tilden, and the old school of great lawyers of 
the metropolis. 

The Senator s eldest daughter, Hetty Sherman, is Mrs. Charles C. Beaman. 
Mr. Beaman was formerly private secretary to Charles Sumner, later solicitor 
for the Government before the tribunal of Geneva, and now a member of Mr. 
Evarts law firm in New York. Miss Mary might be said to be the executive 
member of the Senator s household, as she greatly relieves her mother of her 
domestic cares and social duties. Helen Wardner is Mrs. Charles H. Tweed, 
wife of an eminent lawyer of New York ; Elizabeth is wife of Edward C. Per 
kins, son of Boston s art author, the late Charles C. Perkins, and Louisa is 
the wife of Charles C. Scudder, a young physician of New York city, son of 
Ex-Representative H. J. Scudder. Of the Senator s sons, Charles B. has 
charge of his father s estates at Windsor and in the Hampshire Hills. Allen 
W. is a lawyer of marked ability, and has for many years been a member of 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 103 

his father s firm. Sherman is also a lawyer. Prescott, the twin brother of 
the latter, is assistant rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Holy 
Communion, New York city, and Maxwell, a perfect eointerpart of his father, 
and who apparently has inherited a large share of his forensic gifts, has just 
been admitted to the bar. 

One of the most genial men in society, and one of the most remarkable arch 
itects of his own career is Leland Stanford, of California. He was born in 
1824 in New York. Gathered knowledge in an academy, studied law, was ad 
mitted to the bar, and went to Wisconsin. In 1852 he joined his brothers in 
California, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. His first appearance in Na 
tional politics was as a delegate to the convention of 1860, which nominated 
Abraham Lincoln, and later was Governor of California, As President of the 
Central Pacific railroad, he supei intended the construction of five hundred and 
thirty miles of road in two hundred and ninety-three days over the Sierra Ne- 
vaclas, an unparalleled feat in railroad building. He entered the Senate in 
1885. Possessing vast wealth, he lives in princely elegance. Mrs. Stanford, 
owing to the death of her son, has not taken much part in social affairs, al 
though she receives her friends. The Senator enjoys social life, and in his 
personal intercourse shows that though a millionare a dozen times over, he 
is still a man of the people. 

The highest tribute to the success of popular institutions in the United 
States is the ready adaptability of its men and women to the requirements of 
the official or social life to which they may be called. The career of Sena 
tor James F. Wilson, of Iowa, since he first entered the House of Representa 
tives in 1861, and the culture, refinement and popularity of his estimable wife 
in the higher circles of the social life of the capital are forcible illustrations of 
this fact. Senator Wilson, the son of a carpenter, born at Newark, Ohio, be 
came a harness maker s apprentice to help eke out an humble living for his 
mother s family, left largely to his care by the death of liis father when he was 
but nine years of age. For years he worked at harness-making as appren 
tice and journeyman, meanwhile taking an academic course and studying law. 

During these days of toil and self-denial, Mary Jewett, the daughter of 
Alpheus Jewett, a blacksmith of Newark, was growing up among a family of 
children. In 1851 the journeyman harness-maker, after twenty-five years of 
struggle against the world, was admitted to the bar of Licking county. Mary 
Jewett, the blacksmith s daughter, became Mrs. Wilson. The young couple, 
full of hope, went to the then wild West, and settled at Fairfield, Iowa. But 
ten short years after the harness-maker of Newark was the Representative 
from Fairfield in Congress, and the blacksmith s daughter was one of the most 
attractive of the ladies of the Representatives circle. Two years after she was 



104 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the wife of the chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House, and but 
sixteen years from the time she went West with her husband to grow up with 
the country, she entered the higher social life of the families of the Senators. 
She has two sons one a promising attorney and another at college. Her 
daughter, Mary B. Wilson, has enjoyed, under the charge of her mother, the 
benefits of careful education and has taken her place in the social world. 

Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois, began his career in National politics as an 
elector on the Filmore ticket in 1856. He was prominent in legislative affairs, 
was in Congsess 1865-71, a delegate to National conventions, and Governor 
of his State, which he resigned to take a seat in the Senate of the United States 
in 1883. He is fifty-eight years of age, affable and approachable. 

Mrs. Cullom was Julia Fisher, of Springfield. Her fjinily came from Penn 
sylvania, where she was born. She is one of the ornaments of the circle ot 
the married ladies of Senators families. Her daughter Catharine, is also a 
great favorite. The Senator s eldest daughter Ella, is the wife of W. B 
Ridgeley, of Springfield, Illinois. 

Charles B. Farwell, who succeeded Senator Logan, upon the death of that 
distinguished soldier and statesman, after an early career as a merchant, and 
in Chicago politics beginning in 1853, was elected to Congress three times, 
and declined other nominations. He is a man of fine presence. 

Mrs. Farwell was Mary E. Smith, of South Williams town, Mass., one of 
the most popular young ladies of the romantic Berkshire hills. Mrs. Regi 
nald de Coven, who was Anna Farwell, the eldest daughter of the Senator, is 
a beautiful and highly educated lady under thirty. Mr. de Coven, a son of 
one of Chicago s merchant princes, is a young gentleman of twenty-eight years 
of age, of fine presence and genial manners. He comes of old Revolutionary 
stock of the celebrated family of De Covens of Middletown, Conn. His unclewas 
the founder of Racine college, in Wisconsin, and another uncle is Judge Dickey, 
of New York, Miss Grace Farwell finished her education at Farmington, 
Conn." Miss Rose is at school at Lake Forest University, near Chicago. The 
Senator himself is not only a man of princely fortune, but of princely hospi 
tality. 

Dwight May Sabin is one of the youngest of the Senatorial circle, being for 
ty-four years of age. After a success in general manufacturing industries in 
Minnesota, and being prominently identified with the Republican National 
conventions of 1872, 76, and 80, he entered the Senate in 1883. He is a man 
of fine appearance, and one of the most popular men in the Senate. 

The wife of Senator Sabin was Ellen Amelia Hutchins, of Norwich, of an 
old family of Eastern Connecticut. She is very beautiful and popular, and is 
one of the most attractive ladies of the Senatorial rank. The domestic life of 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 105 

Senator and Mrs. Sabin is very interesting. Mrs. Sabin was left an orphan 
when very young, which created a tender place in her heart for children bereft 
by death of the tender care of parents, and sheltering comfort and training of 
home. Having no children of her own, she has taken unto herself a liberal 
family of nine children by adoption or support. These homeless little ones 
form an interesting picture of the amount of happiness which a kind and 
motherly heart can bring into this world. Mrs. Sabin also takes great inter 
est in giving pleasure to her young lady acquaintances. As her guests were 
Miss Ada Murphy, of St. Paul, the accomplished daughter of one of that grow 
ing metropolis leading physicians. Also Miss Sadie Williams, of Danielson- 
viiie, Conn , a lovely blonde, highly educated, an excellent musician, and 
much traveled both at home and abroad. 

Charles F Manderson, a native of Philadelphia, after a successful career as 
a lawyer and soldier in Ohio, went to Nebraska in 1869, when he was thirty- 
two years of age, where he was also distinguished in State affairs, consummat 
ing in his election to the United States Senate in 1883. 

Mrs. Manderson was Miss Rebecca S. Brown, of Canton, Ohio, where Mr. 
Manderson settled in 1856. Her father, A, S. Brown, was one of the promi 
nent lawyers of that State. Her grandfather, John Harris, who settled in 
Ohio in 1814, was an influential Whig politician in the convention at Phi a- 
delphia in 1848. Mrs. Manderson, who is very beautiful, and dresses ele 
gantly and in excellent taste, takes great pleasure in giving happiness to her 
lady friends by inviting them to Washington, as her guests during the season. 
Among them were Mr. and Mrs Camden C. Dyke and daughters, of Brook 
lyn. Mr Dyke is a prominent wool merchant. Mrs. Dyke is President of 
the Ladies Board of Charities of Brooklyn, and interested in the Homoeopathic 
hospital. The daughters, Miriam and Jessie, are two beautiful young ladies, 
and contributed munificently to the pleasure of those with whom they came in 
contact. Miss Hettie Collier, one of the belles of Omaha, also added to the 
many atttrctions of Mrs. Manderson s drawing-rooms. 

Thomas Witherell Palmer is a grandson of James Witherell, a Representa 
tive from Vermont, who commanded a legionary corps of volunteers, and 
witnessed the surrender of Detroit. He was also one of the Territorial Judges 
of the North-west, appointed by President Jefferson. The Senator began 
life as a manufacturer, and amassed a large fortune in lumber. Having 
been in the Senate of Michigan for a year, in 1883 he entered the Senate of 
the United States. He is a man of fifty seven years of age, very hospitable, 
and lives elegantly. 

Mrs. Palmer, a descendant of Governor Winslow, of Massachusetts, was 
Lizzie Pitts Merrill, whose father removed from Maine to Michigan when she 



106 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

was young. She became Mrs. Palmer in 1855. She is an ornament to the 
circle of Senatorial ladies, and is very popular in society. 

Senator Joseph N. Dolph, a tall, full-bodied man of fifty-two, is a native of 
New York, taught school, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practic3d 
there. In 1862 he enlisted in the famous "Oregon Escort" to protect emi 
grant trains against Indians in crossing the plains, and reaching Portland, 
settled there. He became at once prominent in his practice, and in the Legis 
lature. He entered the Senate in 1883. The Senator is a Mason of the thir 
ty-third degree, and Past Grand Master of Odd Fellows of Oregon It was 
he who contested the granting of the certificate as a Presidential elector to 
Cronin by the Democratic Governor Grover, and secured its issue by the Sec 
retary of State to Dr. Watts, thus securing the necessary electoral votes to 
turn the scale in favor of General Hayes for the Presidency. 

Mrs. Dolph, a beautiful woman, was Augusta Mulkey, daughter of one of 
the early pioneers of Oregon, and was born in the country. She became 
Mrs. Dolph in 1862. Her mother was a member of the family of Browns, of 
Missouri, to which B. Gratz Brown belonged. Her brother, Marion Mul 
key, is a distinguished lawyer of Portland. Her eldest daughter Agnes, just 
entering the twenties, was one of the belles of last two seasons. Her intro 
duction into Washington society was the occasion of a grand ball, of six hun 
dred invitations, represerting the very elite of official and social life at the cap 
ital. In company with her mother, she made a tour of Europe in 1886. In 
May, 1887, she was married to Richard Nixon, a young journalist of Wash 
ington. The wedding was a brilliant event in the social world, and was at 
tended by the most distinguished people at the capital. A younger daughter, 
Ruth Dolph, just entering her teens, also shows a promise of great beauty. 
Four boys, the eldest eighteen years, complete the family. Miss Odeneal, a 
charming lady, niece of the Senator, is one of the most attractive members of 
the younger social life of the Senatorial circle. 

Jonathan Chace, who succeeded Henry B. Anthony in 1885, at the time of 
his death the "Father of the Senate," is a gentleman of distinguished pres 
ence, fifty-eight years of age. He was in Congress when e ected to the 
Senate. 

The wife of the Senator from Rhode Island was Jane Moon, of Bucks 
county, of a family cf early prominence in the Society of Friends of the State 
of Pennsylvania, and herself a Quakeress of the orthodox school. Her two 
daughters are young. Senator Chace belongs to the New England Quakers, 
and wears his Quaker garb. His ancestors were among the early sufferers 
from Puritan intolerance towards other religious sects The Senator and Mrs. 
Chace adhere to all the strict principles of their Society, and therefore stanJ 
aloof from the fashionable trifles and follies of gay life at the capital. 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 107 

John C Spooner, of Wisconsin, is the youngest looking of the Senators, 
having more the appearance of a man of twenty-one than of forty-five. He 
served through the Rebellion, and later established a valuable practice at law, 
in which he was engaged when chosen to the Senate in 1885. 

The Senators amiable wife was Annie Main, of Madison, \Vis., whose father 
was a farmer of influence. Her sons, Charles P., aged seventeen. Millet M., 
aged fifteen, and Philip L., aged seven, are at school. The Senator s father 
was a native of New Bedford, Mass., and his mother was Miss Coit, daughter 
of Ex-Sheriff Coit, of Plainfield, Conn. 

Thomas M. Bowen, who was born in Iowa, in 1835, was lawyer and law 
maker in that State until 1858, when he stepped down into Kansas, while yet 
a territory, was a Captain of Nebraska and later Colonel of Kansas volunteers 
and commanded a brigade in the army of the frontier and later in the seventh 
army corps . He was President of the Constitutional Convention, of Arkansas, 
under reconstruction, was Governor of Idaho, was Judge in Colorado when 
made a State, and in the Legislature when chosen Senator of the United States 
in 1883. The Senator is a man of the active habits and the nervous energy of 
a frontiersman. He is noted for his skill at poker, and for his practical jokes 
in that line on some of his brother Senators and friends. 

Mrs. Bowen, one of the pleasantest ladies in society and very pretty, was 
Margaret Thruston, of Van Buren, Arkansas, daughter cf one of the old citi 
zens of that State. 

Harrison H. Riddleberger, a native of Virginia, the second youngest mem 
ber of the Senate, born in 1844, was Confederate officer, lawyer, legislator, 
and editor before he entered the Senate in 1883. He was a Tilden elector in 
1876, and elector on the Readjuster ticket in 1880. He left the Democratic 
party on the debt question, and since his presence in the Senate has affiliated 
on measures of public policy with the Republicans. He is a man of courage 
and execution, somewhat fiery, fine looking, and of pleasant manners. In the 
present numerical relation of parties in the Senate, he holds the vote which can 
make Republican party movements operative by giving them two majority, or 
can neutralize their efforts by voting with the Democrats, his old party friends, 
and making the result a tie, there being thirty-eight Republicans, thirty-seven 
Democrats, and Mr. Riddleberger on political questions. The Senatcr s an- 
cestcrs settled in Boutetort county, in Colonial days, and took part in the war 
of the Revolution. His grandfather was a soldier of 1812. 

Mrs. Riddleberger was EmmaV. Bellew, of an Albemarle, Virginia, family. 
Her eldest daughter, Lelia, just reaching society age, is very attractive A 
younger daughter, Olive, is at school. Frank Riddleberger, the eldest of four 
sons is editor of the Shenandoah Herald, a young man of promise in jour 
nalism. 



108 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The youngest Senator is John E. Kenna, the son of a farmer of West Vir 
ginia, and was born in that State in 1848. He served as a private in the 
Confederate army. Studied and practiced law after the war, entered the House 
of Representatives in 1877, and was representative elect when chosen to the 
Senate in 1883. 

Mrs. Kenna was Annie Benninghaus, daughter of a Wheeling merchant. 
The Senator s first w_ife was Rosa Quigg, also of Whee ing. His daughter, 
Margaret, now in her teens is attending school. 

Randall Lee Gibson, a lawyer and planter, entered the House of Repre 
sentatives in 1875, and the Senate from that body in 1883. He is a man of 
study and learning in his profession, gentle in manner, and one of the most 
courteous of Senators. His colleague, James B. Eustis, also a lawyer, was in 
the Confederate service on the staff of General Joe Johnson. He was con 
spicuous in affairs during reconstruction in and out of the State Legislature, 
and was in the Senate of the United States 1877-79. His present service be 
gan 1885. He is very taciturn and scholarly man, having been professor of 
civil law in the University of Louisiana. 

The illness of Mrs. Gibson, culminating in her death, was a sad bereave 
ment to a large circle of friends. 

She was Mary Montgomery, daughter of R. W. Montgomery, an old time 
merchant of New Orleans and president of the Canal Bank. Mrs. Gibson 
was educated at Heidelberg and Paris and spoke German and French fluently. 

Mrs. Eustis was Ellen Buckner, of the celebrated Kentucky family of that 
name. Her daughter, Marie Eustis, is one of the prettiest young ladies in 
Washington. The Eustis family are allied by marriage to the family of the 
Washington millionaire, Corcoran. George Eustis, the brother of the Sen 
ator, married the only daughter of Mr. Corcoran. The young wile died at 
twenty-eight, leaving two sons and a daughter. The daughter, Louise, is now 
a beautiful young woman entering twenty. She very closely resembles her 
mother, whose portrait hangs in the Louise Home for Gentlewomen, founded 
by her philanthropic grandfather at Washington. Her brother, George Eus 
tis, educated in Germany, married his cousin, Marie Eustis, daughter of the 
Senator. The young gentleman s father was in the party of Mason and Slidel, 
on their interrupted voyage to Europe as the diplomatic agents of the seceding 
States of the South. The aunt, sister to both fathers, Miss destine Eustis, 
is a stately lady of middle age and very much in demand in society. 

Among the Southern Senators Joseph E. Brown is a peculiarly interesting 
character. He was born in 1821, and began the practice of law in 1846. 
Three years after he drifted into politics. He was the war Governor of his 
State, on the side of the Confederacy. During the war he opposed the policy 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 109 

of Jefferson Davis on the conscript act, but threw no obstacle in the way of 
its execution. After the surrender he became very unpopular on account of 
his recommendation that the people acquiesce and carry out the reconstruction 
measures in good faith. As the Democratic party opposed these measures, as 
a reconstructionist he voted for General Grant, who favored them. In 1868 
he was nominated by the Republicans for United States Senator, but was de 
feated by Joshua Hill, an original Union man, which was the only defeat of 
his life In 1870 he identified himself with the material development of 
Georgia and amassed a large fortune. He succeeded General Gordon in the 
Senate, by appointment, and \\ as afterwards formally elected. 

Mrs. Brown and her interesting family are among the popular members of 
Washington society. 

The Senator s colleague, Alfred Holt Colquitt, served as a staff officer in the 
Mexican war. He was in Congress in 1853-55; in the Secession convention 
of Georgia, major genernl in the Confederacy, Governor, and in 1883 Sen 
ator of the United States. He is a man of fine appearance, sixty-three years 
of age, a lawyer of ability, and a fine speaker. 

The oldest Senator next to Mr. Morrill, is Henry B. Payne, of Ohio, the 
former born April 14, and the latter November 30, 1810. He is a native of 
New York, and a lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio, which profession he abandoned for 
Ihe more lucrative occupation of manufacturing, railroad and other industrial 
enterprises. He was in the Legislature of Ohio, and the unsuccessful Dem 
ocratic candidate for the United States Senate in 1851, against Salmon P. 
Chase. He also ran agaimt that Senator for Governor and was defeated, but 
has always been influential in Democratic politics. He was in the House ot 
Representatives 1875.7, chairman of the Committee on the Electoral bill, and 
a member of the Electoral Commission which led to the seating of Rutherford 
B. Hayes in the Presidential chair. He entered the Senate in 1885. 

Mrs. Payne was Mary Parry, daughter of Nathan Parry, an old and influ 
ential merchant of Cleveland. Her eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of 
Charles W. Bingham, merchant of Cleveland. Her second daughter is Flora 
Payne Whitney, the wife of the Secretary of the Navy, and one of the most 
popular and public spirited ladies ever known to Washington social life. The 
Senator s son is the millionaire, Oliver Payne. 

The choice of George Gray to succeed Senator Bayard when he stepped 
into the Premiership of the administration in 1885, added one of the 
handsome men to the Senate, and in his wife a most attractive woman to so 
ciety. The Senator is forty- seven, a cousin of Admiral C. R. P. Rogers, the 
Chesterfield of the navy, and a relative of Commodore O. H. Perry, of Lake 
Erie fame. He has been conspicuous in legal matters, professional and offi 
cial in Delaware. He has also been a power in State and National politics. 



HO SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The young ladies of New Castle of not a great while ago remember Mar 
garet Black, the beautiful daughter of Dr. John Black, niece of Judge Black, 
of the Superior Court of Delaware, and sister to Lieutenant Commander 
Charles Black, U. S. N. The leaders of fashion at the metropolis of Penn 
sylvania remember this same Marparet Black as one of the most brilliant of 
their choice circle of ihe very elite of the fashionable life of Philadelphia, Ger- 
mantown, and Chestnut Hill. She is equally attractive as Mrs. Senator 
Gray in the social circle of the upper branch of Congress. 

A true type of a Kentuckian is Joseph Clay Styles Blackburn. He is of 
the blooded stock of the blue giass region. He is Kentuckian by birth, Ken 
tuckian by education, Kentuckian by profession, Kentuckian in gallantry and 
bravery as a soldier of the confederacy, he was in the Kentucky Legislature 
and in the Kentucky delegation in Congress, 1875, until the Kentucky Legisla 
ture put him in the Senate of the United States in 1885. The Senator repre 
sented in Congress Henry Clay s old district, and lives twelve miles from 
where the great Whig was born. His uncle married Miss Watkins, Mr. 
Clay s half sister. 

Mrs. Blackburn belongs to the old Kentucky family of Graham. She was 
Theresa Graham, daughter of Dr. C. C. Graham, who was honored by a ban 
quet by the city of Louisville upon attaining his one hundredth birthday. 
Mrs. Blackburn is a great favorite in society, particularly among the ladies 
representing the social circles of the Southern States. Her daughter, Corinne 
Blackburn, named by her father after the heroine of Madame de Stael s ro 
mance, which he very much admired, is a superior musician, and one of the 
best performers on the piano in the city. The last was Miss Blackburn s 
first season in Washington society. She has risen, however, to great pop 
ularity in the higher official circles. 

The junior Senator from the State which honors in its name and greatness 
the wife of Charles II, of England, is Ephraim King Wilson. After a career 
of forty-four years as lawyer, legislator, politician, representative in Congress, 
and judge on the eastern shore of Maryland, he was placed on the roll of Sen 
ators at sixty-four years of age, in 1885. 

Mrs. Wilson was Julia Knox, of one of the prominent families of southern 
Maryland. Her eldest daughter, Ellen, is Mrs. Marian Hargis, wife of a 
leading merchant at Snow Hill. Three younger daughters, Nannie, Mary, 
and Ethelyn, are at school. Mrs. Wilson resides in Washington during the 
season, and does her share of the social duties of the Senators families. In 
the summer she enjoys the ocean breezes of the Atlantic from one side, and 
the^ softer airs of the Chesapeake from the other, at her home at Snow Hill. 

Edward Gary Walthall, of Mississippi, a lawyer by profession, rose from 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. Ill 

Lieutenant to Major General in the Confederate service. He has always been 
active in Democratic politics, and was delegate to the four last National Con 
ventions. He was appointed Senator in 1885, upon the resignation of Mr. 
Lamar to accept the post of Secretary of the Interior, in the Cleveland admin 
istration, and was subsequently elected for the unexpired term, 1889. The 
Senator is fifty-six years of age, retiring in general society, but free and open 
among his friends. 

His wife was Mary L. Jones, daughter of a planter of Mecklenburg county, 
Va., on the Roanoke river. She is a woman of heroic character, and courage. 
During her husband s military service she spent much cf her time in camp 
when he was in command under General Joe Johnson. Miss Courtenay Wal- 
thall, a niece of the Senator s wife, was adopted when an infant, as a member 
of his family. She is receiving the benefits of a finished education. 

The State of Arkansas is represented in the Senatorial circle, by James K. 
Jones, a private soldier in the Confederate army, a lawyer, planter, member 
of the Legislature, and Congress three times, when elected to the Senate. He 
is forty-eight years of age. Mrs. Jones was Miss Sue Somerville, daughter 
of Judge Willis L. Somerville, of Dallas county, Arkansas. She is a lady of 
fine education, and gentle manners. Her daughter, Miss Sue Jones, is very 
attractive and one of an interesting group of the younger ladies of the families 
of Senators. Among their guests were Mrs J. M. Somerville, of Centre 
Point, wife of the Clerk of Howard county, Mrs. Jacob Frolich, of Little 
Rock, wife of the Secretary of State, and Miss Annie Somerville, sister of 
Mrs Jones, of Washington, Arkansas. 

Senator James H. Berry, a lawyer by profession, lost a leg in the battle of 
Corinth, on the Confederate side. Subsequently he served in the Legislature, 
on the bench, and as Governor of Arkansas. He succeeded Mr. Garland in 
the Senate upon his appointment as Attorney General in the Cleveland admin 
istration. He is a man of fine presence, forty-six years of age, and comes 
from a family of old settlers in Arkansas. Mrs. Berry was Lizzie Quaile, 
daughter of a merchant on the Arkansas river, and very agreeable in society. 
Her daughter Nellie is a young lady of fine social traits. 



112 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE SENATORS RETIRED AND ELECT. 
THE DEPARTING SENATORS THEIR LADIES WHO HAVE GRACED THE SOCIAL 

WORLD OF THE CAPITAL THE INCOMING SENATORS THEIR SOCIAL SUR 
ROUNDINGS. 




N the index finger of the "official" clock of the Senate which 
marks upon the disc of time the progress of parliamentary delibera- 
tions touched the meridian hour of March 4, 1887, completing the 
diurnal round of the legislative day of March 3, the gavel of the President 
pro tempore sharply rapped the attention of the Senators to the final form 
ulary of a few benedictory remarks of courtesy and compliment, and the 
proclamation that " the closing hour of the forty ninth Congress having arri 
ved, the Senate stands adjourned without day." 

Simultaneously expired the official tenure of twenty-three Senators, and sim- 
ultaneouely began the first calendar day of*the Fiftieth Congress. The cre 
dentials of twenty-three Senators-elect, who will carry on the continuity of 
Senatorial succession, bring again before the Senate, John Sherman, of Ohio, 
George F. Edmunds, of Vermont, Joseph R. Hawley, of Connecticut, Eugene 
Hale, of Maine, Arthur P. Gorman, of Maryland, Nelson W. Aldrich, of 
Rhode Island, Philetus Sawyer, of Wisconsin, George Gray, of Delaware, 
and Jarr es Z. George, of Mississippi, who with a fresh patent of authority 
from their States will continue in the enjoyment of their Senatorial rank and 
authority for a further term of six years. Fourteen States send new Ambas 
sadors with credentials to represent them at the seat of Government, in the 
Senate, in place of those who have retired from the distinguished circle of the 
Senators. The investiture of the Senators -elect with the full powers and dig 
nity of their rank, by the taking of the oath of fealty to the Constitution and 
the laws, when the Senate convenes, will again restore the roll of Senators to 
its full personnel. 

The theory cf the ambassadorial relation of the Senators, representing the 
politico-seignorial jurisdictions of the States, as constituent parts of the Fed 
eral Union, was recognized in the use of terms by the acting President of 
the Senate upon the appearance cf the Senators at the opening of the first Con 
gress, and before the installation of the first Vice-President. The acting Pres 
ident of the Senate said the " credentials of the members present will be read 
and filed." The same form is still in vogue. The credentials are signed by 
the Governor, and attested by the Secretary of the State represented. They 



THE SENATORS RETIRED AND ELECT. 113 

certify that the person in whose name issued is entitled to credit at the hands 
of the Senate, and constitute his authority and official power to act in that body 
for his State in its quasi-sovereign relation to the National Government, prac 
tically the same as the letter of commendation or power given by a govern 
ment to its Ambassador, or Envoy, to give him credit and power to act at a 
foreign court. 

The Senatorial circle in its official and social relation to affairs at the seat of 
Government will no longer have the presence of Benjamin Harrison, of Indi 
ana, grandson of the ninth President of the United States; Charles H. Van 
Wyck, of Nebraska, the champion of anti monopoly; William J. Sewell, of 
New Jersey, the skillful politician among the Senators of the left; Warner 
Miller, of New York, the leader of the forces which overcame the combina 
tions of Conkling and Platt in the Legislature of the Empire State ; John I. 
Mitchell, of Pennsylvania, the compromise choice of the men who were con 
testing with Cameron the selection of a republican successor to the distin 
guished Democrat, William A. Wallace; William Mahone, of Virginia, a Major 
General of the Confederacy, who wheeled into the Senatorial line of the Repub 
licans ; Abraham P. Williams, ot California, who superseded Mr. Hearst to 
fill out three months of the term of the late Senator Miller ; Omar D. Con gar, 
of Michigan, who had preceded his single term Senatorial career with distin 
guished service in seven Congresses ; S. J. R. McMillan, of Minnesota, re 
tired after a service of twelve years in the ranks of the Senators; Samuel B. 
Maxey, of Texas, who broke the Republican succession from the lone star 
State ; Johnson N. Camden, of West Virginia, defeated after a long and des 
perate struggle to be his own successor ; Washington Curran Whitthorn, of 
Tennessee, conspicuous as a representative in six Congresses before he was 
invested with the Senatorial mantle of H. E.Jackson, by appointment, and 
who has been returned to the ranks of the Representatives of the Fiftieth 
Congress; Charles W. Jones, of Florida, whose unrequited affections expend 
ed in Detroit cost him the honors which awaited him at Tallehassee, and 
James Graham Fair, of the Bonanza regency of Nevada, who was more inter 
ested in the fluctuations of mining stocks than the dull monotony of legislation. 
In the brief space of a single session, few persons in the history of the Sen 
ate have taken so prominent a place in the official and social life of a Senator 
as Person C. Cheney, of New Hampshire. He began the active affairs of 
life as a youth in important industrial enterprises, rising to the position of 
president of a number of extensive financial and industrial corporations and 
in the midst of his great business responsibilities, performed the duties of an 
honored and useful citizen as legislator, soldier, mayor, and governor. 

Mrs. Cheney, a tall, queenly, and agreeable lady, made her first appear- 



114 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ance in society, in Washington, as the wife of a Senator in the season of 
1886-7. It, however, was not her first season, having passed several winters 
at the capital superintending the education of her accomplished daughter, Ag 
nes, who will soon make her formal entrance into society. Mrs. Cheney was 
Miss Sarah W. White, of Lowell. Her father, a Lowell manufacturer, was 
the first person to employ power in the making of card clothing. When she 
became Mrs. Cheney, in 1850, she was Mrs. Keith, a widow, residing in Illi 
nois. During the war she came to Washington and nursed her husband, then 
an officer in the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment, through a protracted 
and almost fatal illness, and from which he only recovered through the care 
of his devoted wife. 

Among the retiring ladies who were prominently known in the social life 
of the Senatorial circle were the members of the family of Senator Warner 
Miller, of New York. Mrs. Miller was Caroline Churchill, of Gloverville. 
She was assisted in her social duties by her sister, Miss Cora Churchill, one 
of the group of beautiful unmarried ladies for whom Mrs. Cleveland had a great 
fondness. Mrs. Miller belongs to the celebrated family of Randolph Church 
ill, England s young and aggressive statesman. The original stock divided 
in this country, one branch settling in Virginia, and the other in New Eng 
land. She is descended from the latter branch. During her residence at the 
seat of Government, Mrs. Miller surrounded herself with young ladies cele 
brated for their rare beauty and social accomplishments. The ladies of the 
Churchill family were great belles of the Mohawk valley, and the types which 
Mrs. Miller and her sister had among their gues!s, added to the fame of the 
women of that charming section of inland New York. 

Mrs. Harrison v as Caroline Scott, a daughter of John W. Scott, D. D , 
a Presbyterian clergyman, professor of a female seminary at Oxford, Ohio, 
and of a Washington county, Pennsylvania, family. She is a lady ot fine 
gifts, and admired for her social qualities. Her daughter, Miss Mamie Har 
rison, is Mrs. McKee, of Indianapolis, Ind , wife of a merchant. Her son, 
Russell B. Harrison, whose" wife is a daughter of Ex- United States Senator 
Saunders, of Nebraska, is in business at Helena. Montana. 

The wife of the junior Senator from California, Mr. Williams, was Miss 
Bethania Dunbar, of Fairfield, Maine, daughter of one of the enterprising 
lumber men of that State of vast forests, intellectual women, and distinguished 
men. She was a favorite in society during her three months residence at 
Washington as a member of the Senatorial circle. 

Mrs Van Wyck was Kate Broadhead, daughter of Colonel John H. Broad- 
head, farmer and merchant, of Pike county, Pennsylvania, and descendant of 
the colonial and revolutionary family of Broadhead. 



THE SENATORS RETIRED AND ELECT. Or 11$ 

Mrs. Mitchell was Alice Archer, daughter of H. S. Archer, of Wellsboro^ ^ 

of the distinguished colonial and revolutionary Maryland family of th^t name,-, 
and one of the pioneers in Northern Pennsylvania. Miss Clara Mitchell, an* 7* 
attractive young lady under twenty, the child of a former wife, appeStted with 
her father in society in Washington, and received a great deal of attention. 
Mrs. Mitchell is a woman of domestic inclinations. The Senator has two 
sors, one of whom has resided in Dakota, and the other remains in Washing 
ton. Senator Mitchell s maternal great grand-mother was Anna Allen, a rel 
ative of Ethan Allen "the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress" hero 
of Ticonderoga. 

Mrs. W T hitthorn was Jane Campbell, a distant relative of President Polk. 
Her father was Colonel Robert Campbell, one of the Tennessee pioneers 
from North Carolina Miss Lillie, a daughter of the ex-Senator is Mrs. 
Charles P. Cecil, wife of a large stock farmer near Danville, Kentucky. An 
other daughter, Ella, is Mrs. Alexander Harvey, of Baltimore. Miss Mary 
Whitthorn in society assists her mother in her social duties. 

Mrs. Mahone was Otelia Butler, of Smithfield, Isle of Wight county, Vir 
ginia, daughter of Robert Butler, former State Treasurer of Virginia. Her 
daughter Otelia Butler Mahone, one of the debutants of the season, is very 
pretty and attractive. Both Mrs. Mahone and her daughter were among the 
most popular ladies in Washington social life. 

Mrs. Conger was Stella Humphreys, daughter of Judge Humphreys, of 
Ohio. Miss Florence Conger, daughter of the ex-Senator by a former wife, 
who was Miss Barker, of Mansfield, was well known in society. 

Mrs. Sewell, a lady of fine social traits remained at her home at Camden, 
in New Jersey, caring for her domestic surroundings there. 

In the list of Senators elect are two gentlemen who are known to Washing 
ton society as former members of the Senatorial circle. The first is \\ illiam 
Morris Stewart, who was one of the two Senators to represent Nevada in the 
Senate upon the admission of that State into the Union in 1863, and who served 
until 1875. Mrs. Stewart is a daughter of ex-Governor Henry S. Foote, of 
Mississippi. The elegant mansion occupied by the Chinese Legation was 
built by the Senator, and was the first of the fine residences erectedin the fash 
ionable "West End" of Washington twelve years ago. Mrs. Stewart and 
her daughter, whose debut was one of the most brilliant social events of that 
day at the capital, were leaders of society. 

Algernon S. Paddock, of Nebraska, the other former Senator, figured promi 
nently in the Senatorial circle from 1875 to 81, when he was succeeded by 
Charles S. Van Wyck. He in turn now displaces Mr. Van Wyck. 

Da\id Turpie, who will succeed Senator Harrison, is fifty-nine years of age. 



Il6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Upon the expulsion of Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, from the Senate of the 
United States, in 1863, the Legislature chose Mr. Turpie to fill the unexpired 
term of about fifty days. He is a man of undoubted ability, a good lawyer, 
and speaker. 

Matthew Stanley Quay, Senator-elect from Pennsylvania, is a man of mid 
dle age, has had a long and successful career as politician, S tate official, and 
legislator. He was reared among the trusted lieutenants of the elder Came 
ron, and is one of the most skillful masters of the art of politics in public life. 
Mrs. Quay, who was Miss Barkley, of one of the early families of the Beaver 
Valley, Pa., is a lady of culture and social traits. She will take a prominent 
place among the popular ladies of the Senatorial circle. Miss Maine Quay, 
the Senator-elect s eldest daughter will make her debut in Washington, and 
will be one of the belles of the season. 

Francis B. Stockbridge has had much experience in Michigan politics and 
legislation. He is about sixty years of age, a man of large wealth, and has 
an interesting family to preside over the social affairs of his household. He 
declined the mission to the Hague, tendered by President Grant fifteen years 
ago, on account of the ill health of Mrs. Stockbridge. 

Frank Hiscock, of New York, whose election was the outgrowth of the 
Miller-Morton deadlock, in the New York Legislature, is well known as one 
of the conspicuous figures of the Republican side of the House of Represent 
atives for five Congresses, and had been elected the sixth time when chosen 
to the Senate. Mrs. Hiscock, who was Cornelia King, is a daughter of Al 
bert King, a prominent merchant of Tully, New York. She has always held 
a prominent place in social life c.t Washington, as much for her loveliness of 
manner, as for her loveliness of person. 

Ex-Governor W. Bate, Senator elect from Tennessee, a gentleman of 
ability and experience in State affairs, in his wife and daughter will be able to 
make the social side of his Senatorial career peculiarly attractive. Mrs. Bate, 
who is not much given to society, still takes pride in her social duties for the 
sake of her husband. Her daughter Susan, who has just finished her educa 
tion, and will make her debut next season, is a fine conversationalist, an ex 
cellent pianist, and performs well on the guitar and banjo, which she prefers 
as an accompaniament to her voice. 

Cushman K. Davis, of Saint Paul, not only one of the most expert politi 
cians in Minnesota, but a close student and a pungent orator, will figure 
prominently not only in the Senate on account of his own abilities, but in the 
social world for the beauty, grace and tact of his wife. She is one of the 
most attractive women in the northwest, brilliant in conversation and in music, 
a dashing equestrienne, and fearless at the reins. She was the leader of the 



THE SENATORS RETIRED AND ELECT. I 17 

best society at Minnesota s capital, both in private life and when her husband 
occupied the Executive chair of the State. 

Rufus Blodget came to New Jersey from New Hampshire, and in fifteen 
years not only had control of the party machinery, but carried off the Sena- 
torship with the most experienced leaders of the Democratic regency against 
him. The Senator is less than fifty-five, and has the instincts of a statesman. 
Mrs. Blodget is a lady of fine social accomplishments, and will be a desirable 
acquisition to the circle of Senatorial ladies. 

After a protracted and hopeless struggle among the recognized candidates, 
Samuel Pasco, a native of England, forty-eight years of age, secured the Sen- 
atorship to succeed the erratic Jones, of Florida. He went to Florida to teach 
school. He studied law, married, and settled there. He has always been 
active in Democratic politics, is a man of positive ability, handsome, of agree 
able manners, and popular with the young Democracy. 

Charles J. Faulkner who severed the Gordian knot of the Senatorial strug 
gle in West Virginia, is a son of Charles James Faulkner, an anti-bellum 
Representative in Congress, and James Buchanan s Minister to France. He 
is forty -seven years of age, and a gentleman of ability, and universally popular. 

John H. Regan, of Texas, who was Postmaster General in the Cabinet of 
Jefferson Davis, having been elected to the last seven Congresses consecu 
tively, is well known in the affairs of the House of Representatives. He is a 
man of ability and amiability. Mrs. Regan arc! daughter are hospitable in 
their home circle, but have never had a fondness for an aggressive part in 
social affairs. 

George Hearst, of California, one of the wealthiest men in the Senate, will 
add, through the ladies of his family, a large amount of gayety to the fashion 
able life of the capital. Mrs. Hearst is fond of society, and with a lavish hand 
contributed to the entertainments of the season. The Senator having filled 
the interim, by appointment, in the Senate of the United States, from the 
death of Senator Miller, to the election of Mr. Williams by the Legislature of 
California, and his own election by the succeeding" Legislature for the full 
term of six years, to 1893, gave him practically, a place in the Senatorial 
circle. Mrs. Hearst s Drawing Rooms have been exceptionally attractive. 

John Warwick Daniel, of Virginia, who succeeds William Mahone, is a 
legal authority of repute, and a finished orator. He possesses much of the 
courtliness of the old time Virginian. He made a good record in the Forty- 
ninth Congress. He belongs to the debt-paying Democracy of the Old Do 
minion. 



Il8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. 

THE THIRD CO-ORDINATE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT THE PLACE OF 
THE CHIEF JUSTICE HIS TITLE THE JUSTICES THEIR RANK THE HIGH 
SOCIAL PLACE OF THE COURT CIRCLE ITS MEMBERS OPEN THE CERE 
MONIAL AND SOCIAL SEASON AT THE CAPITAL CHIEF JUSTICE AND MRS. 
WAITE THE JUSTICES AND THE LADIES OF THEIR FAMILIES ADHERENCE 
TO OLD FORMS. 

fHE Supreme Court of the United States represents the third coordinate 
branch of the National government. It had its origin in the third article 
of the Constitution, its organization sprang from statutory enactments of 
the First and succeeding Congresses, and its ceremonial and social preroga 
tives, usages and relations are sequential of its high jurisdiction, as expounder 
of the Constitution, laws and treaties, and adjudicator of causes between States, 
domestic or foreign, or citizens or subjects of the same. The Supreme tribu 
nal embraces the Chief Justice of the United States and Associate Justices 
at the seat of government, and the remainder of its personnel and powers are 
distributed throughout the States among Judges of Districts and Judges of 
Circuit Courts, besides Judges of Territorial Courts, and the Supreme Court 
of the District of Columbia. 

The personnel of the Court is the only branch of the public service holding 
office by a life tenure. It is therefore, officially and socially, within its own 
sphere and in the exercise of its functions, wholly independent of the executive 
or legislative departments of the government. Its superannuated members 
are the beneficiaries of the first law placed on the statute books of the United 
States in 1869, creating a civil pension list, its retiring members receiving 
$10,000 a year for life. 

In the distribution of the functions of the Constitution, it is declared that 
the judicial power of tht United States "shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time ordain 
and establish." The Supreme Court is, therefore, one of the three constitu 
tional bodies of the government. Its first officer is specially designated as 
" The Chief Justice," who is required to preside when the President is tried 
by impeachment. 

This provision of the supreme law establishes the constitutional precedence 
of the Chief Justice and the Senators. The Senators, under oath, constitute the 
tribunal for the impeachment of the President. They are the High Court of 
Impeachment, and by constitutional requirement the Chief Justice must pre- 



THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. IIQ 

side. As the spirit of all jurisprudence in the United States requires that every 
person shall be tried by his peers, the. Senators acting as judges and jury pre 
sided over by the Chief Justice in the performance of the high duties devolving 
upon them in the premises are the constitutional peers of the President. 

In the cumulative functions of the Chief Justice and Senators as the arrange 
ment of their powers proceed in constitutional definement, there can be no ap 
propriate and rational assignment of their places in the scale of constitutional 
and social importance other than the order assigned them as the President, 
the Vice-President, or President pro tern., in the event of a vacancy, the Chief 
Justice and the Senators. 

The titles of the members of the Court were determined at its earliest meet 
ings, in the same spirit that the first Congress disposed of the question of the 
title of the President of the United States. The Chief Justice is the Consti 
tutional title of the presiding officer of the Court, and Associate Justices is 
the statutory title of the other members of the one Supreme Court." There 
has been some controversy as to whether the title should be " Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of the United States or " Chief Justice of the United 
States." Among the early Chief Justices both these forms were in vogue, 
His commission, however, designates him by the former title. The Constitution 
designates him simply as the "Chief Justice." Chief Justice Chase insisted 
upon the second form. During the trial of President Andrew Johnson, under 
articles of impeachment, Chief Justice Chase insisted in the deliberations, upon 
the title " Chief Justice of the United States." The act of 1869, through his 
instrumentality, recognized that title by providing that the Supreme Court 
should consist of " One Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associates, 
&c." That by analogy would be his Constitutional title as the head of the 
third coordinate branch of the government, whatever might be his title as the 
Chief of the one Supreme Constitutional tribunal. 

The practice since the beginning has been to address the members of the 
Court as f: Mr. Chief Justice," " Mr. Justice. or the same with the surname 
added. The same form would be proper for the superscription of an unoffi 
cial letter. Official or ceremonial communications should be addressed by the 
title simply, or the name without complimentary title, followed by the official 
title. The same for the Justices of the Court. 

There has been much controversy as to the order of precedence between a 
Senator and a Justice. The latter have always claimed priority of rank, and 
as a rule Senators have accorded that precedence doubtless more as a matter 
of official or social interest than of propriety or sequence of authority and pow 
ers under the Constitution. There can be no doubt as to the precedence of a 
Justice, though statutory as to title, over a member of the Cabinet, as the Con- 



120 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

stitution provides that there shall be "One Supreme Court," but it does not 
provide that there shall be any Cabinet. It does provide that there shall be 
a Senate, and the Senators try the President as his peers, presided over by 
the " Chief Justice," not of the Supreme Court, but inferentially of the Uni 
ted States, and in which the Justices take no part whatever. Even the Chief 
Justice holds office upon the advice and consent of the Senators, and might, on 
the theory of sequence of ceremonial value or importance, under the Constitu 
tion, hold a subordinate place but for his Constitutional duties over the Sena 
tors when sitting as a High Court of Impeachment of the President of the 
United States. The Justices do not enjoy the benefits of this Constitutional 
discrimination, and hold their office as much by virtue of the advice and con 
sent of the Senators as by appointment of the President. 

It is asserted in support of the claim for precedence over the Senators, that 
the Justices of the Supreme Court have the Constitutional power to nullify 
their acts, and that it is the only tribunal in the world which has that supreme 
power. That is replied to affirmatively as to legislation, but does not apply di 
rectly to the Senators, but to the President of the United States, whose ap 
proval alone consummates the act of legislation. If the fact of nullification of 
an act of Congress approved by the President, which alone makes it possible 
to come under the interpreting power of the Supreme Court, gave precedence, 
then the Chief and Justices of the third coordinate branch might claim prece 
dence of the executive power. The Senators simple participation in legislation 
is not their sole relation to the members of the Court, as they can nullify the ap 
pointing power of the President, which in vests them as individuals with supreme 
Judicial powers of Justice. The claims of precedence apply to the Represent 
atives as their powers are solely legislative, but in the economy of things 
not to the Senators. The Senate, like the Supreme Court, is also a continu 
ous body, 

The Supreme Court circle, being composed of scholarly men and relieved 
by the life tenure of their office from the necessity of seeking continued prefer 
ment through studious regard for political influences, represents the highest 
standard of the social scale at the seat of government. Its social surround 
ings are defined. Its range of social recognition is confined to the higher 
spheres of official life, and distinguished personages by selection in fashiona 
ble circles.. It excludes much that is admissible at the levees of the President, 
and is not thronged with the social multitude which hover about Congress. 

The assembling of the Supreme Court on the second Monday in October is 
always the occasion of the beginning of the ceremonial courtesies, which are 
annually exchanged between the coordinate powers of the government. In 
conformity with uniform custom since the first meeting of the Court on the 



THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. I2l 

statutory clay of assembling the Chief Justice and Jus. ices, in their robes of 
office, take their seats upon the Supreme bench and begin their session. After 
preliminary directions as to the commencement of business, the court adjourns. 
Having laid aside their robes, the Court in a body, attended by its own officers 
and accompanied by the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, proceed 
to the Executive Mansion, and, being formally announced, are received by the 
President in the audience parlor. The Chief Justice congratulates the Presi 
dent upon his appearance and good health. After the Justices in turn present 
their compliments, the Court retires. It is then custom to leave a card at the 
residence of the Vice-President, that high functionary being ex-officio chief 
officer of the upper body of Congress, the second coordinate branch of the 
government. In case of a vacancy in that office, the President pro tempore of 
the Senate would be entitled to similar mark of consideration, but the Court 
does not concede this ceremonial obligation. The Piesident never returning 
a call in form, except that of a sovereign, ruler of a country or member of a 
royal family visiting Washington, does not return the call of the Court. Dur 
ing the season, however, it is customary for him to give a state dinner in its 
honor. The Vice-President, if in the city, or within a reasonable time after 
his return, leaves a card at the residence of the Chief Justice. 

This introductory ceremonial occasion is followed by calls of etiquette among 
the members of the court and their ladies in society, the Justices first calling 
upon the Chief Justice, and then junior upon senior Justices, return calls being 
made in the same order of precedence. The ladies of the court are at home 
on Mondays during the season, at which time persons in social relations with 
the court circle, or others in polite society, may call, the dress on these occasions 
being street costume. These Mondays at home give rise to a general move 
ment in social circles, followed by a round of courtesies in advance of the rush 
of gayety in fashionable life, which comes later during the Congressional and 
administration seasons. 

The code of etiquette of the Supreme Court circle was founded in the early 
social practices of the old school of manners established by the first President 
and his wife, and incorporated into the social regime of the Court by its first 
Chief Justice. The preeminent public services of John Jay, and the high so 
cial inheritance and accomplishments of his wife, Sarah Livingston, a daughter 
of William Livingston, of the distinguished Colonial family of that name, whom 
he married in 1774, gave the first official and social environments of the judi 
cial circle a degree of dignity and prominence which has been maintained by 
the succeeding eminent jurists who have worn the ermine of the Chief Justice. 

Chief Justice Morrison Remick Waite, a native of Lyme, Conn., born in 
1816, is the son of a Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of his birth. As an 



122 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

attorney in Ohio, he rose to sufficient prominence to be entrusted with the 
post of counsel in the Alabama arbitration at Geneva, and after the withdrawal 
of Ex-Attorney Generals George H. Williams and Caleb Gushing, followed 
in the line of succession as seventh Chief Justice. At the time of his appoint 
ment he was presiding over the Sta e Constitutional Convention of Ohio, 
Chief Justice Waite, though having passed the usual allottment of three score 
and ten years, is hale and vigorous in mind and body. He is short and stout 
in stature and quick of gait. His estimable wife, a matronly lady, presides 
over the household affairs of the Chief Justice with a dignity rounded with an 
affability which has won all hearts in the sphere of her social duties. In her 
exalted station, Mrs. Waite is assisted by her daughter Nannie, a fully ma 
tured woman, of slender form, sharp eye, bright inte lect quic c wit, a heart full 
of sympathy for the poor, and a hand never withheld from enterprises to 
alleviate the sufferings of the distressed. 

Samuel F. Miller of Pennsylvania German stock, an old-time Kentucky Abo 
litionist, a friend of Clay, and since 1850 a citizen of Iowa, presents a short and 
somewhat corpulent figure. He was born the same year as the Chief Justice. 
Mrs. Miller, a matronly lady, bearing a feminine resemblance to her husband, 
is held in high esteem among the ladies of the Court circle as the authority on 
the social etiquette which attaches to their position in fashionable life, The 
Justice being the senior member of the Court, in this respect even out-dating 
the Chief Justice, is recognized as the patriarch of the body, and Mrs. Mil 
ler is the acknowledged referee and umpire on all social questions. 

Stephen J. Field, a. native of Haddam, Conn., but one of the "Forty- 
niners," of California, is one of the celebrated Field brothers, sons of a "Nut 
meg" preacher. He is seventy years old, and has a limp in his gait which 
might be a relic of the old days of placer jurisprudence. Mrs. Field, who 
is closing up a half century of life, is a fine, large, handsome woman, with 
well-preserved traces of rare womanly beauty in her prime The residence of 
the Justice is embraced within the southern portion of the walls which once con 
stituted the temporary capitol occupied by Congress when the capitol itself, in 
1814, was destroyed by the British invaders, and notorious in the war of the 
rebellion as the " Old Capitol Prison, r where recalcitrant political offenders 
were incarcerated, pending the recovery of their better senses. Here the 
Justice and his queenly wife hold superb social entertainments. The elegance 
of these gatherings has given Mrs. Field the title of " Hostess of the Court 

Justice Joseph F. Bradley, born in New York, in 1813, settled in Newark, 
N. J., as a lawyer in 1839. He is the smallest in stature, and oldest in years, 
among the members of the court. After the resignation of Judge Grier, and 
sudden death of the War Secretary, Edwin M. Stanton, who had been nomi- 



THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. 123 

nated, President Grant filled the two vacancies by the nomination of William 
Strong, of Pennsylvania, now a retired Justice, to that circuit, and Judge 
Bradley, of New Jersey, for the Fifth circuit, embracing the Gulf States. 
The retirement of Judge Strong placed the latter in his proper geographical 
position. Justice Bradley, held the casting vote on the electoral tribunal, which 
seated Rutherford B. Hayes, as President of the United States. Mrs. Brad 
ley, who is of small figure, is the youngest daughter of Chief Justice Horn- 
blower, of New Jersey. She is of pleasant but retiring manner. Miss Brad 
ley, who is in her twenties, is a petite brunette, little given to the frivolities of 
society, and takes much interest in works of charity. A son of Justice Brad 
ley married Senator J. D. Cameron s eldest daughter. 

Justice and Mrs, Harlan are fine specimens of the sons "and daughters of 
the Blue Grass regions of Kentucky. The Justice carries an attitude of six 
feet two inches, with a robust frame and a face ruddy with health. Mrs. Har 
lan bears a symmetrical feminine relation to his fine physique, and is of stately 
presence. 

Justice Wood, whose death in May, 1887, made a vacancy in the Court cir 
cle, was a soldier in the Ohio volunteers and rose to a general during the re 
bellion. He settled in the South after the war, and was appointed United 
States Circuit Judge, from which he was raised to the Supreme Bench by Presi 
dent Grant. Mrs. Wood and her daughter the latter in her early twenties 
were interesting members of the Court circle. 

Stanley Matthews was born in Cincinnati in 1824. After graduation, taught 
school in Kentucky, settled in Cincinnati as a lawyer, was an editor in 1848, 
again a lawyer in 1850, and served in the war of the Rebellion as lieutenant 
colonel in Rosecran s regiment, in which President Hayes began his military 
career as major. He succeeded John Sherman in the Senate in 1877, when 
that gentleman entered President Hayes Cabinet, and was later elevated to 
the Supreme Bench. The first Mrs. Matthews, who was aunt of Editor Wat- 
terson, of the Louisville Courier-Journal^ died in 1884. After remaining a 
widower for nearly two years, Justice Matthews married the widow of Judge 
Theaker, at one time Commissioner of Patents. After spending the honey 
moon in Europe, the distinguished couple returned, and Mrs. Matthews ap 
peared in the social circle of the Court during the season as a bride. The Jus 
tice s daughter Jeannie, a young lady of little over twenty, is one of the pets 
of society. 

During the season Justice and Mrs. Matthews had a family reunion, which 
included the three Misses Matthews, Mortimer Matthews and his family; Paul 
Matthews; Mrs J. T. W r ebb, a sister of Justice Matthews, and Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry Watterson. 



124 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Justice Horace Gray, of Massachusetts, former Chief Justice of his State, is 
the bachelor of the Court, born in 1828. After the highest education in the 
law, and distinguished practice, he became the partner of E. R. Hoar, later 
Attorney General of the United States. He was State Reporter, Judge of the 
two Courts, and Chief Justice of Massachusetts. He is the largest member 
of the Court, measuring six feet four irches in height. His grandfather, 
William Gray, of Salem, entered the army of the Revolution, after the fights at 
Lexington and Bunker Hill, as a drummer boy. Some one, after referring to 
his part in the great struggle, slightingly remarked, "Billy Gray was nothing 
but a drummer." "True," said he, "but did I not drum well. It aroused 
a nation into life." This youthful patriot afterwards became largely engaged 
in the India trade. His youngest son, Horace, a manufacturer of Boston, was 
the father of the Justice. 

Justice and Mrs. Blatchford, of New York, are the humorous members oi 
the Court circle. Their conversational accomplishments are the life of the 
sometimes austere social gatherings of the Court families. They have nc 
daughters to take part in their charming social entertainments, but the Jus 
tice and Mrs. Blatchford are always the best posted on all that is going. 

Justice William Strong, the only living retired member of the Court, parti 
cipates in all the ceremonials and social entertainments of his former juducia 
brothers. He is a native of Connecticut, born in 1808, settled in Reading, Pa., 
in 1832, and was a Representative in Congress. He became Associate Justice, 
in 1870, having previously filled a place on the bench of the Supreme Court o! 
the State of his adoption. Mrs. Strong, who is an invalid, takes little part in 
society, but two daughters adorn their beautiful Washington residence. 

The traditions, prerogatives, and practices of the Supreme Court, handed 
down in sort of apostolic succession since the days of the founders of the gov 
ernment, are rigorously adhered to, and upheld. The robes of office, still 
worn, at first faced with scarlet, after the borrowed robe of Chancellor Wool 
worth, of New York, used by John Jay when he took his seat as the first 
Chief Justice of the United States, were changed to the present all black robes, 
in 1802. The Court Bible, an Oxford edition of 1799, the first used by the 
Court in its sittings in Washington, 1800, and upon which the Chiefs, and all 
the Associates swearing by The Book, have taken the oath of office, is treas 
ured as a precious relic. Even the furniture of the Court is clung to with af 
fection and reverence. 



THE SPEAKER. 125 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE SPEAKER. 

RECOGNIZED BY THE CONSTITUTION THE TENURE OF HIS OFFICE THE 
SYMBOL OF HIS AUTHORITY THE FASCES THE POWER OF THE SPEAKER - 
HIS PLACE IN THE SCALE OF DIGNITIES TITLE CEREMONIAL AND SOCIAL 
RELATIONS JOHN GRIFFIN CARLISLE MRS. CARLISLE. 



I 



126 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Hall of the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and, upon the House being called 
to order by the Speaker, is placed upon a marble pedestal at the seat of the 
Sergeant-at-Arms at the right of the Speaker s chair. Upon occasions of up 
roarious or undecorous demonstrations on the floor, in the frenzy ot debate or 
partisan feeling, which have occured, the Speaker, with his gavel, being pow 
erless to compel obedience, at his command the Sergeant-at-Arms, bearing 
the fasces, moves along the aisles among the Representatives. Disobedience 
to this summons of the whole authority and dignity of the House would be 
followed by summary expulsion. 

The Speaker signs all official documents or enactments of the House. He 
has supreme and sole authority to name the personnel of all the standing 
committees. In the body over which he presides he has greater latitude of 
parliamentary power than is enjoyed by the Vice-President or President 
pro tern, over the Senate. 

The place of the Speaker in the scale of official and social dignities was de 
termined by the first Congresses in the arrangement of the relations of the 
two Houses, whether in the exercise of their parliamentary autonomy sepa 
rately or jointly. It has been the practice from the beginning for enrolled 
bills previous to being sent to the President, to be signed first by the Speaker 
of the House of Representative, and then by the President of the Senate. 
This order is in keeping with the theory of the sovereignty of the people, and 
the Constitutional arrangement in the matters of legislation solely, but gives 
the Speaker no ceremonial precedence as shown in the same co- organic par 
liamentary rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, recognized by 
nearly a century of usage. These rules prescribe that when the Senate and 
House of Representatives make a joint address to the President of the United 
States it shall be presented in the "Audience Chamber," by the President of 
the Senate. 

Another parliamentary recognition of the precedence of the presiding officer 
of the Senate, and which adds the Senators as taking precedence of both 
the Speaker and Representatives, is the rule of 1794, that when the two Houses 
assemble in the Hall of the House of Representatives to count the electoral 
vote for President and Vice-President of the United States, the President of 
the Senate shall be the presiding officer. In addition to this the same rules 
specifically designate the order of precedence by declaring that "at such joint 
meeting of the two Houses seats shall be provided as follows : The President 
of the Senate shall occupy the Speaker s chair, for the Speaker a chair imme 
diately upon his left, for the Senators, in the body of the hall upon the right 
of the presiding officer, for the Representatives in the body of the Hall not 
occupied by the Senators." 



THE SPEAKER. I 27 

The passage of the act of 1886, ves ing the line of Presidential succession 
in the cabinet, repealed the statutory succession of the Speaker, who then 
stood three degrees removed. He is, therefore deprived of that contingent 
honor and whatever exceptional prestige that might give the office. 

The title became an issue in the very outset of the government, in April, 1 788, 
on the question as to how the first, official communication from the Senate 
should be addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The 
form "Honorable" was proposed. The House, however, insisted upon the 
simple Constitutional title, " The Speaker," which was adopted, and has never 
since been changed. In social intercourse he is properly addressed " Mr. 
Speaker," and in official correspondence "The Speaker." In personal cor- 

re:-pondence it is proper to address him , Speaker of the House of 

Representatives. 

The Speaker, as a matter of ceremonial form and propriety, would be ex 
pected, at the commencement of each session of Congress, to call in person 
upon the President, and in person or by card upon the Vice President, or 
President of the Senate pro tempore, if performing the duties of presiding offi 
cer of the Senate, and on the Chief Justice of the United States. The same 
rule would apply to the ladies of his families. In each case, except the Presi 
dent, the call would be returned in person or by card. The first call would 
also be due to such Senators and Justices of the Supreme Court of the United 
States with whom he might desire to establish social relations. The Speaker 
receives the first call from Representatives and all others which he returns. 

When the Forty-ninth Congress expired, the parliamentary precedence and 
authority conferred by the majority of the House of Representatives upon 
John Griffin Carlisle, at the beginning of that Congress, terminated by Con 
stitutional limitation. He was the fourth Representative from Kentucky upon 
whom the Speakership had been conferred. Henry Clay was chosen six times 
between 1811-25; John White once, 1841-43; Lynn Boyd twice, 1832-33, 
and 1851-55, and John G. Carlisle twice, 1883-87. He is the thirtieth 
Speaker in the line of succession from 1789. In the list of forty-nine Con 
gresses which have lived and died since the formation of the Constitution, 
Representatives from Kentucky have occupied the chair of eleven, 

Mr. Carlisle who filled the office of Speaker of the Forty-eighth and Forty- 
ninth Congresses was born, in Kentucky, September 5, 1835. He was named 
after his two grandfathers, John Carlisle, a native of Virginia, and Griffin 
Reynolds, a native of Rhode Island. His father was born in Kentucky, and 
his mother in Rhode Island, but grew up in Kentucky. The Carlisles, Lo 
gans, Hardens, and McClures were among the early pioneer families of Ken 
tucky, and were allied more or less closely by marriage. Mary Todd Lincoln, 



128 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

wife of the seventeenth President of the United States, was a cousin of Mr. 
Carlisle. 

The usual rugged experience of the self-made men who have ornamented 
the higher walks of public duty was the lot of Mr. Carlisle. As a boy he 
started out in pursuit of such knowledge as was available m the country 
schools of Kentucky forty years ago. As a youth verging into manhood, he en 
tered the career of rural pedagogue, and while manipulating the ferule for the 
stimulation of the plodders along the toilsome pathway of learning, availed 
himself of such opportunities for self culture and advancement as came in his 
way, At twenty-three he had reached the degree of attorney, and had settled 
down to the pleading of causes, and formulation of briefs for litigants of Cov- 
ington and the surrounding region. At the same time he began his political 
career in a successful campaign for the State House of Representatives. 

It was while a member of that body that the issue of secession was sprung. 
Not only was he prominent in his opposition to all measures inimical to a 
peaceful and orderly adjustment of sectional or partisan differences, but voted 
against the proposition to call a State Convention to consider the question of 
the secession of the State of Kentucky from the Union, insisting that the 
remedy for grievances was to be found in the Union and not out of it 

Upon the restoration of the peaceful methods of affairs Mr. Carlisle was 
elected to the Senate, and subsequently to the Lieutenant Governorship of his 
State, covering a period of nir.e years, and has since been elected to six Con 
gresses. In 1883 he was raised to the dignity of Speaker of the House of 
Representatives. 

In his entire public career, Mr. Carlisle has exhibited a high order of abili 
ties which have brought him to the front in competition with men of promi 
nence in public affairs. During his service on the floor of the House, he was 
active in its proceedings and debates. He has been the most vigorous and 
influential champion of economic theories based upon the pro British doctrines 
of free trade. He has held the great bulk of his party as a unit on that sub 
ject, notwithstanding the strength and character of a minority vvithm his own 
party, who have been arrayed m antagonism to such measures. 

One of the most attractive and forcible women m any of the circles of official 
or social life at the capital is Mrs. Carlisle. She was Mary Jane Goods an, a 
native of Kentucky, and one of the most popular of the young ladies in the re 
gion of her girl and maidenhood. Her father, Major John A. Goodson, was a 
native of Georgia. Her mother was born Hester Wasson, a native of Ken 
tucky. Major Goodson served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 
Senate, and was for several years mayor of the city of Covington, Kentucky. 
She has two sons, William Kinkead Carlisle and Silbon Logan Carlisle, both 



THE REPRESENTATIVES. 129 

graduates of the Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and both jesid- 
ingand practicing law at Wichita, Kansas, The wife of the elder son was 
Mollie Noonan, one of the most charming young ladies of Covington. 

Mr. Carlisle is the undisputed leader of the bulk of his party in the House 
of Representatives, and irom the chair he has been able to hold the dissenting 
wing m a negative position on the chief issues the tariff. He shares in 
the confidence of the President and is not unfrequently called into his private 
counsels. He has been somewhat handicapped in many of his public acts by 
his confidence and devotion to his friends. In his personal life Mr. Carlisle 
is one of the most genial and approachable of men. He is always thoroughly 
posted upon public matters. 

Mrs. Carlisle is in every way fitted for the wife of the presiding officer of 
the popular body of Congress. She has a tall, commanding figure, and a 
queenly grace in her bearing which inspires admiration. She has strength of 
character which gives confidence. She has ease of manner which attracts 
friends. She has readiness of conversation which creates popularity. She 
has promptness of greeting which relieves a sense of restraint. Her toilettes 
are in taste. She is a leader in the social circle of the capital as her distin 
guished husband is a leader in public affairs and politics. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
THE REPRESENTATIVES. 

THE OFFICIAL AND SOCIAL CIRCLE OF THE POPULAR BRANCH OF CONGRESS 
THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS AND PRECEDENCE OF ITS MEMBERS THE 
NEW ENGLAND REPRESENTATIVES THEIR LADIES. 

(rip HE Representatives in The Congress of the United States constitute the 
largest officially homeogenous class in the social life of the capital. Their 
tj^A numbers embrace the deputies of the people of three hundred and twenty- 
five Congressional and eight Territorial constituences, covering the entire na 
tional jurisdiction. In the natural order of things, assembled at the capital in 
the exercise of their legislative functions, with the ladies of their families, th^y 
form a conspicuous feature in all official and ceremonial entertainments and in 
a less degree as private persons participate in general fashionable gayeties. 
With widely differing social conditions and environments at their homes, the 
Representatives display a great diversity of manners, habits, tastes and pro 
clivities and ideas of social obligations and proprieties. Aggregately they 
may be said to exhibit in a greater degree than any other class in Washington 
9 



130 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the characteristics of national life and the social instincts of the average Ameri 
can. Ill their adjustment to the social vvorld of the capital they are as a rule 
influenced by sectional interests and predeliclions, and therefore are disposed 
to divide into sets. In their personnel as members of the popular branch of 
the National Legislature they are governed by no order of precedence or rank. 
In the parliamentary working of their body the States are enumerated alpha 
betically and within the States the Representatives themselves are arranged in 
numerical order as to districts. On a call of the roll in the consideration of 
measures of legislation they are taken aggregately as individuals in alphabeti 
cal order. 

In the arrangement of the divisions of the Constitution, and the distribution 
of its functions, the legislative department is given the first place as a funda- 
mantary element in the application of the Republican theory in the granting 
of the powers of government. Within the legislative department the Repre 
sentatives occupy the fundamentary place as constitutional members of the 
body exercising the delegated powers of the sovereign people. This prece 
dence of arrangement and proximity to the source of all authority under the 
Constitution, does not give official or social precedence in the scale of dignities. 
The Constitutional executive power vested in the President is given the first 
place of trust and responsibility, being required by oath not only to execute 
the office of President, but to " preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution 
of the United States." While the real legislative power of the government is 
vested in the Representatives, they having the sole right to originate revenue 
legislation, that exclusive authority can never be complete without the concur 
rence of the Senate, and approval of the President. The Representatives are 
the people. The Senators are the States. The President is the Nation. The 
Chief Justice and the Justices are the conservators of the laws. 

The place of the Representatives in the order of official and social prece 
dence is the same as in the development of the powers of the Constitution. 

In the discussion of the relative places of the Constitutional members of the 
government in the beginning of Washington s administration in arranging the 
place of the Senators, it was claimed that the Representatives would expect 
the same privileges, and would be offended if not granted. It was urged 
upon the attention of the President who was formulating the code to govern 
intercourse, official and social, among the different departments and members 
of the government that there was reason for the destinction ; that the Senators 
were associated with the President in certain executive functions, which made 
them in a degree his Constitutional counsellors, and gave them a claim to pre 
cedence. 

In his relation to the government, a Representative is one of three hundred 



THE REPRESENTATIVES. 13! 

unu twenty-five constituent members of the body of the people and exercises 
in his own official acts the delegated authority to vote on measures within the 
jurisdiction cf the body of which he is a member. He represents a constitu 
ency of about 155,000 in a population of 50,000,000 people. His authority is 
derived from a certificate of election addressed to the clerk of the House pre 
ceding that for which elected, and his name is placed upon the roll of members. 

The three hundred and twenty-five Representatives, and eight Delegates 
distributed over the national jurisdiction of 3*600,000 square miles of the 
earth s surface, or a vast region equal to the aggregate area of all the nations 
of Europe, taken by contiguity of States i.i geographical groups, would give, 
representatives of the North-eastern, or New England, States the first place in 
point of locality in presenting a view of the distinguished gentlemen constitu 
ting the personnel of the social circle of the Representatives and the ladies of 
the r families. 

The twenty-six Representatives of this section in the constituent assembly 
of the people are from six States of the Union, with an area of 67,000 miles, 
nd 4,000,000 of population. They are generally men of college education 
and professional occupations. They take pride in the events which transpired 
upon their soil during the incipient periods of the revolution, and cherish as a 
noble heritage the glories of Lexington and Bunker Hill They realize in 
their public acts the vigorous convictions of their Puritan origin In their pri 
vate lives they are as a rule men of culture and fine social qualities. 

The Maine delegation is exceptionally strong in the House and prominent 
in social life. Thomas B. Reed, of the Portland district, is one of the bright 
est men in the lower branch of Congress, having had the experience of five 
terms. He is forty-eight years of age, a ready debater, a pungent speaker, 
with an underlying current of humor, which makes him al\vays interesting, 
lie has received the complimentary nomination of the Republicans lor 
Speaker. Mrs. Reed, born in New Hampshire, daughter of Rev. S. H. Mer 
rill, a Congregational minister, is very popular among her circle of friends. 

Nelson Dingley, Jr., represents the Lewistown district. He has united jour 
nalism, (being the owner of the Lew is town Journal,} with politics, for one 
term being the Governor of Maine. He is one of the staunchest champions of 
American shipping. Mrs. Dingley was Miss Salome McKenney, daughter of 
Henry McKenny, a jeweler of Auburn, Maine. She is a lady of fine social 
traits. Her daughter, Edith, is still in her teens. Her sons, Henry M, Ding- 
ley, is a manufacturer of Lewistown; Edward N. Dingley is an editor, and 
Arthur H. Dingley an electrician in Boston. Albert G. Dingley, of Lewis- 
town, is a student. 

Seth L. Milliken, of Belfast, who represents Mr. Elaine s old district, is a 



132 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

man of fine oratorical powers, and one of the favorite stump speakers of Na 
tional reputation in the Republican party. His mother, a woman retaining 
the traces of great beauty in her younger days, was Miss Perbeuex, a de 
scendant of the famous counts of Perigeuex who occupied the old ampitheatre 
of Perigord, about a hundred miles Southwest of Paris, built in the second 
century. Mrs. Milliken was Lizzie Arnold, born in Augusta, but of the Rhode 
Island family of that name, and to which Benedict Arnold belonged. Her 
daughter Maud, who has just passed her teens, is one of the most attractive of 
the young ladies of the New England circle. 

Charles A. Boutelle, of Bangor, who is a fine looking man, was in the vol 
unteer navy and received a commission for gallant services in the engagement 
with the rebel iron clad Albemarle. He commanded one of the steamers in 
Farragut s attack and capture of Mobile. He is owner of the Bangor Whig 
and Courrier. Mrs. Boutelle is a woman of agreeable manners, and partici 
pates in the social gayeties of the capital. 

In the New Hampshire delegation are Martin A. Haynes and Jacob A. 
Gallinger. The former, after serving as a private in the Union forces, having 
been twice wounded, established the Lake Village Times, which is still in his 
hands. He has been succeeded by L. F. McKinney, of Manchester, a 
Democrat. Jacob H. Gallinger, chairman of the Republican committee of his 
State, a physician by profession, is one of the active politicians of New Eng 
land. Mrs. Gallinger and Mrs. Haynes enjoyed the social life of the capital 
during the season. 

The representatives of Vermont, John W. Stewart and William W. Graut, 
both Republicans, are among the active men in State and National affairs. 
Miss Stewart was in Washington during the winter. 

The State of Massachusetts is represented in Congress by Robert T. Davis, 
of Fall River, a man of prominence in State politics ; John D. Long, of King- 
ham, one of the prominent figures on the Republican side of the House, a 
finished orator, and 1880-82 Governor of his State; Ambrose A. Ranney, of 
Boston, who will be succeeded by Leopold Morse, a former member ; Pat 
rick A. Collins, of Boston, of Irish birth, and one of the strong men on the 
Democratic side of the House ; Edward Daniel Hayden, of Woburn, promi 
nent in State politics ; Henry B. Levering, a manufacturer of Lynn, who will 
be succeeded by Henry Cabot Lodge ; Eben F. Stone, of Newburyport, who 
gives place to W. Coggswell, of Salem; Charles H. Allen, of Lowell; Fred 
erick David Ely, of Dedham, who will be succeeded by E. Burnett, of South- 
borough; William W. Rice, of Worcester, who will retire after service in 
five Congresses, and will be succeeded by John E. Russell, of Leicester ; 
William Whiting, of Holyoke, and Francis W. Rockwell, of Pitts field, one of 



THE REPRESENTATIVES. 133 

The ladies of the delegation, who were in Washington during the season, 
made a most interesting gathering. Mrs. Long was Agnes Pierce, of 
Attleboro, daughter of a universalist clergymen, and herself, at the time of 
her marriage, she being the second wife, teacher in the Hingham High 
School, and a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School. The first Mrs. 
Long was Mary \V. Glover, of Hingham. Mrs. Collins was Mary E. Gary, 
daughter of Michael E. Gary, mechanical engineer. Her two daughters, Ag 
nes and Marie, are young. Mrs. Rockwell was Mary Hilbert Davis, daugh 
ter of deacon Henry G. Davis, of Pittsfield. She belongs to one of the old 
Puritan farni ies of the Berkshire Hills. The other ladies present during the 
season, were Mrs. Ranney and her two interesting and queenly daughters, 
Mrs. Stone and her two attractive daughters, Mrs. Ely and daughter, Mrs. 
Hayden, Mrs. Allen, and Mrs Rice. 

The Representatives of Rhode Island, Henry J. Spooner, of Providence, 
and William A. Pirce, of Olneyville, are well known in the business of the 
House. Mr. Spooner was a brave soldier, distinguishing himself at Antietam. 
The presence of Mrs. Spooner added much to the pleasures of the New Eng 
land circle. Mr. Pirce began life as a mill and farm hand. In 1855 he en 
tered a political career as State Senator, and since has been prominent in State 
and National politics. 

The State of Connecticut contributes four to the membership of the House. 
John R. Buck, of Hartford, who will be succeeded in the Fiftieth Congress by 
Robert J. Vance, of New Britain, is a native of Glastonbury, who having per 
formed distinguished State service, was one of the most active members of the 
Committee on Naval Affairs of Congress. To his exertions was largely due the 
success of the efforts to secure liberal appropriations to rebuild the Navy. 

One of the most interesting members of New England society at the capi 
tal was Mrs. Buck. She was Mary Keeney, daughter of Timothy Keeney, 
manager of a North Manchester paper manufactory. Her daughter, Florence, 
was very popular among the young ladies of the families of the New England 
Representatives. As Mrs. Buck s guests during the winter were Miss Mary 
Shipman, daughter of United States Judge Nathaniel Shipman; Miss Mary 
Bulkley, daughter of George B. Bulkley, retired merchant; Miss Bessie Bur- 
nell, daughter of C. J. Burnell, importer, and Miss Mary Brainard, daughter 
of Leverett Brainerd, publisher, all of Hartford. 

Charles LeMoyne Mitchell, of New Haven, will be succeeded by Carlos 
French, of Seymour. Mrs. Mitchell, a lady under middle age, is one of the 
beautiful women from New England. She was very prominent in social and 
charitable affairs, a great favorite, and entertained elegantly. Many of the 
celebrities in literature, art and music were in the list of her guests. 



134 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

John Turner Waite, of New London, born in 181 1, was one of the oldest men 
of the Hoose, and was also one of the most active, having had the experience 
of five Congresses. He declined a renomination and will be succeeded by 
Charles A. Russell, ot Killingly. He was originally a Democrat, but stepped 
over into the Republican camp on the issues which led to the Rebellion. He 
is descended on his mother s side from two of the original settlers of Norwich, 
Thomas Tracy and William Hyde. On his father s side he is descended from 
the Waite s, of Lyme, the fathers of himself and Chief Justice Waite being 
first cousins. His father was prominent as a Revolutionary officer, and his 
maternal grandfather was Surgeon General of Provincial troops under General 
Amherst in the French and Indian war. Upoa the breaking out of the Revo 
lution he was Surgeon General of the Eastern Department, and in the war ot 
1812 was physician of the forts in New York harbor. 

Mrs. Waite, deceased, was Miss Rudd, a native of England. Their only 
son, Marvin Waite, fell at the head of his men in one of the desperate assaults 
at Antietam. This brave officer had been on signal duty with General Burn- 
side at Roanoke Inlet, and with General Parke at the bombardment of Fort 
Macon, and was awarded a battle flag by General Myer for distinguished ser 
vices. Mr. Waite s daughter, Annie E., is the wife of Col. H. \V. R. Hoyt, 
of Greenwich, Speaker of the Assembly of Connecticut. His daughter, Mary 
E., is wife of J. H. Welles, of Norwich, nephew of President Lincoln s Sec 
retary of the Navy. 

Edward Woodruff Seymour, of Litchfield, a gentleman of distinguished ap 
pearance and historic family, will be succeeded by Miles T. Granger, of New 
Canaan. He was one of the working members of the House, Mrs. Seymour, 
a lady of very amiable traits, took a great interest in public and social affairs, 
and was very much liked. 




THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVE?. 135 



CHAPTER XX. 
THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVES. 

NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, AND DELAWARE, IN CONGRESS 
THEIR LADIES IN THE SOCIAL CIRCLE OF THE PEOPLE S BRANCH A 
GROUP OF 1HE BEAUTY, WIT, AND FASHION OF THE MOST POPULOUS AND 
WEALTHY SECTION OF THE UNION. 

/^~~3 

jhpl HE Representatives of the four middle States of New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, and Delaware, of the Federal compact, number seventy, 
Cj&gt; &lt;- or over one fifth of the entire membership of thi constituent National 
Assembly of the people. While the whole area of this group comprises but 
one hundred and ten thousand square miles, it is the most populous section of 
the country, embracing eleven millions of people, or over one fifth of the ag 
gregate population of the entire thirty-eight States of the Union. It is also 
the financial, commercial, mercantile, manufacturing, and mining center of the 
Republic. 

The "Empire State," New York, has the largest number of Representa 
tives in its delegation. They are generally men of professional or mercantile 
pursuits. The suburban metropolis of Brooklyn leads the list in the numeri 
cal order of districts, with Perry Belmont, a young man of thirty-six, son of 
the founder of an early and powerful financial house, and prominent in parlia 
mentary circles as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Felix 
Campbell, an iron pipe manufacturer is one of the "bosses " of Kings county, 
witli a great deal of political adroitness mingled with native wit. Darwin R. 
James, a prominent merchant, and man of ability, the only Republican from 
Brooklyn, will be succeeded by Stephen V. White, of the s;me political faith. 
Mrs. James, a lady of varied attractions, spent the season at the capital. Peter 
P. Mahoney, a dry goods merchant, never held a public office until he became 
a Representative. 

Archibald M. Bliss, brought up a merchant, was Republican alderman, mayor 
of Brooklyn, a delegate to the Republican conventions of 1864 and 68, to the 
Liberal Convention in 1872, gravitating into the Democratic National Con 
ventions of 1880 and 84. He is one of the most popular men in Congress. 
His maternal grandfather owned a large part of the land now occupied by 
East Brooklyn. His father built wharves and e tablished ferries between 
the two cities. Mrs. Bliss, deceased, was Maria Meserold, of an old Knick 
erbocker family. Eleanor Bliss, a beautiful daughter, just enterir g the age of 
ladyhood, passed the winter, her first season, in Washington, with her father. 
Under the tender care of her paternal grandmother she grew from infancy to 



136 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

womanhood. She is a lady of gentle manners, fine education, and a most ac- 
coir.plished musician. 

The great metropolis at the mouth of the Hudson, with more population 
than any one of twenty-two out of the thirty- eight States of the Union, fur 
nishes eight Representatives to the parliamentary and social circle of the 
House. Nicholas Muller, a German American of the Duchy of Luxembourg, 
after spending twenty years in the ticket department of railroad management, 
entered Congress, and will be succeeded by Amos J. Gumming, a journalist 
of repute. John J. Adams, who will be succeeded by Lloyd S. Bryce, and 
Mrs k Adams, entertained pleasantly in the "West End." Timothy Campbell, 
from printer rose to politician, and is one of the popular men of his party. 

Samuel Sullivan Cox, editor, author, legislator, and diplomat, is one of the 
most fascinating men in the social life of the Representatives. After serving 
in four Congresses from Ohio, he removed to New York, and four years after 
began a new lease of public life, the present being his tenth Congress, in 
the new series. He was Speaker pro tern. Socially Representative and Mrs. 
Cox have always been prominent. Mrs. Cox was Julia Buckingham, of 
Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. Cox s native city, daughter of the builder of the first 
elevator at Chicago. He was a man of means and influence. Mr. Cox s 
grandfather, Gen. James Cox, one of the pioneers of Ohio, was in Congress. 

In the retirement of Abram Stevens Hewitt, to accept the Mayoralty of 
New York, the society of the Representatives lost one of its notable lights. 
He was a man of large wealth, information, and political importance. His 
abilities were also marked, he being conspicuous on financial and tariff ques 
tions. His successor is Francis B. Spinola. Truman Adams Merriman, a 
journalist, is one of the active men in Democratic politics. William Bourke 
Cockran, will represent the East River district. Egbert L. Viele, who will 
have a Republican successor in Ashbel P. Fitch, was popular in society. He 
was a distinguished soldier in the Mexican and Indian wars and the Rebel 
lion, risi g to Brigadier General. He designed Central Park, of New York, 
and Prospect Park, Brooklyn. He is author of standard works on geogra 
phy, sanitation, and engineering. Mrs. Viele, a lady of fine social accom 
plishments, was one of the bright stars of fashionable life during her resi 
dence at the capital. 

William G. Stahlnecker, former mayor of Yonkers, a politician of note, 
who represents the annex district of New York, is one of the handsomest and 
most popular men in the social life of the Reprebentatives circle. In his 
constituency reside the most opulent and poverty-stricken of New York s 
population. Among the former was Samuel ]. Tilden, and is Jay Gould. 
Mrs, Stahlnecker, formerly Miss Elizabeth Fairchild, is a lady of great 



THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVES. 137 

Among other New York members of the Congressional circle from the inland 
districts, are Henry Bacon, of Goshen, entering his second term ; John H. 
Ketchum, of Dover Plains, who resigned as a Brigadier General in the Re 
bellion to enter Congress, and has served almost continuously since; James 
Girard Lindsley, of Roudout, six years mayor of Kingston, who will be fol 
lowed by Stephen T. Hopkins ; Henry G. Burleigh, of White Hall, of the 
historic and picturesque Lake Champlain district, whose successor will be 
Edward W. Greenman, of Troy; John Swinburn, formerly mayor of Albany, 
a physician of distinction in the medical service during the rebellion, and in 
charge of the American Ambulance Corps, during the seige of Paris, by the 
Prussians, who drops out of Congress, Nicholas T. Kane, of West Troy, be 
ing his successor; George West, of Balston Spa, a leading Republican politi 
cian ; Frederick A. Johnson, of Glen Falls, \vhowill be succeeded by John 
II. Moffitt, of Chateaugay Lake; Abraham P. Parker, of Pottsdam, a legislator 
and politician ; John Thomas Spriggs, ex-mayor of Utica, whose successor is 
James R. Sherman, a Republican ; John S Pendar, President of the village 
of Cobleskill, 1882-4, wri will be succeeded by David Wilber, of Milford; 
Stephen C. Millard, of Binghamton, whose successor is Milton Delano, of 
Conastota; Sereno E. Payne, of Auburn, who will be succeeded by Newton 
W, Nutting, of Oswego; Thomas S. Flood, of Elmira, who will fill that va- 
cart district, Ira Davenport, one of the most brilliant Republican leaders of 
New York, and candidate for Governor ; Charles Simeon Baker, of Roches 
ter ; John Gilbert Sawyer, of Albion; John M Farquhar, of Buffalo, Scotch 
born, of Ayr, son of a farmer, of the North of Scotland, breeder of the Fuller- 
ton Ayreshire cattle, a brave soldier of the rebellion; John B. Weber, of Buf 
falo, a gallant soldier, and ex-sheriff of Erie county, and Walter L. Sessions, 
of Jamestown, well-known in State politics, who will be succeeded by Wil 
liam G. Laidlaw, of Ellicottsville. 

Among their ladies in society were Mrs. Farquhar, who was Jane Wood, 
of Buffalo, daughter of W. B. Wood, a native of Cornwall, England ; Mrs. 
Baker, who was Jane E. Yerkes, daughter of Silas A. Yerkes, of the Phila 
delphia family of that name, who settled in Rochester in 1820, and became 
conspicuous in business and politics, is one of the most highly educated 
ladies in the Representatives circle, having completed a five years classical 
course at the Genesee Weslyan Seminary; Mrs. Bacon, Mrs. Ketcham, who 
lives handsomely and entertains ; Mrs. Swinburn, Mrs. Spriggs and daughter, 
Mrs. Millard, Mrs Payne, Mrs. Sawyer, Mrs. Weber and daughter, and 
Mrs. Sessions. Next season the wife of Ira Davenport will be the bride 
of the Representatives circle, their marriage taking place after the close 
of Congress. Mrs. Davenport was Katherine Lawrence Sharpe, daughter 



138 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The Representatives and ladies of the New Jersey delegation make an in 
teresting group in the social circle of the lower House. 

George Hires, of Salem, made himself felt as an industrious legislator. 
Mrs. Hires was Artie Padget, daughter of Captain Amos Padget, a well- 
known steamboat captain plying in the waters of New Jersey and New York. 
When she became Mrs. Hires she was Mrs. Hoogy, a widow. Her daughter 
will enter society next year. 

The capital district is represented by James Buchanan, who, unlike the dis 
tinguished Pennsylvanian of that name, is a Republican. Although the last 
was his first term in Congress, his antecedent public career in State affairs 
gave him an equipment of experience and information which he applied with 
great service to his constituency, his State and his country. He is one of the 
most active champions of protection, particularly in earthenware and china, 
the finest works of the kind being in his district. Mrs. Buchanan was a 
daughter of Mr. Bullock, a prominent merchant of Fleming. Her death was 
a sad loss. She was prominent in works of charity, assisting Mrs. Logan 
and other ladies. The ladies of the societies of which she was an active 
member passed resolutions of regret. 

Robert S. Green, who stepped out of Congress into the Gubernatorial 
chair in the last campaign, left the Congressional succession to fall into the 
hands of John Kean, Jr., of Elizabeth, a Republican. While the Governor 
was dispensing political favors at Trenton, Mrs. Green and her popular daugh 
ters, Kate, Isabella and Caroline, finished out the season at Washington be 
fore they went to adorn the social surroundings of the Gubernatorial office of 
New Jersey. Their drawing-rooms were among the most attractive in the 
Congressional circle. Mrs. Green was Mjss Mulligan, daughter of the presi 
dent of the Second Avenue railroad, New York, a prominent Tammany Hall 
politician, and sister of the celebrated Colonel Mulligan, of the New York 
volunteers, in the late war. Miss Belle Green was the queen of the Gypsy 
dance in the Kirmes at Elizabeth last season, and created quite a furore among 
the fashionables. A son, Robert S. Green, Jr., is the fourth in direct descen t 
in that family educated at Princeton. 

James Nelson Pidcock, began life as a civil engineer and served three years 
as a Democratic State Senator. 

\Villiam Walter Phelps, the millionaire of the delegation, is best known in 
political life as one of the close friends and advisers of James G. Elaine. As 
a delegate-at-large in the convention of 1880, Mr. Phelps was one of the lead 
ers of the Blaine forces, when Garfield, through infidelity to Sherman and 
faithlessness to Blaine, walked off with the Presidential nomination. He is a 
man of slight frame, weighing not over one hundred and twenty pounds, with 



THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVES. 139 

an oval face, conspicuous eyes and a forehead ornamented with an artistic bang, 
which might be the envy of any beautiful maiden. As an active and intelli 
gent Representative, his counsel and adv ce carry great weight in the parlia 
mentary maneuvers on the Repulican side. Mrs. Phelps is one of the dis 
tinguished ladies in Washington society life. She was Ellen M. Sheffield, 
daughter of Joseph E. Sheffield, founder of the Sheffield School of Science, an 
adjunct of Yale College. Mr. Sheffield was a large operator in cotton at the 
South, and amassed a fortune. He went to New Haven to educate his children, 
and there met Henry Farnham, an experienced engineer. Mr. Sheffield fur 
nished the capital to take the contract for the construction of the Chicago, 
Rock Island and Pacific railroad, one of the first built across the State of Illi 
nois. The road was completed before the termination of the limit of the con 
tract. Mr. Sheffield, under these circumstances, operated the line himself for 
one year with great profits. Mrs. Phelps is not only a very beautiful and ac 
complished lady herself, but her daughter, Marian, a young lady under twen 
ty, has a queenly figure and many accomplishments. She was educated at 
Paris and Stuttgart, under the care of a governess, and at Madame Febvre s 
celebrated school at Baltimore. 

Herman Lehlbach, of Newark, a native of Baden, began life as a surveyor. 
Mrs. Lehlbach, who was Gertrude M. Baldwin, daughter of Dr. Milton 
B Iclwin, a prominent physician of Newark, is a lady of domestic inclinations. 

William McAdoo, is one of the ablest young men of the House. He comes 
of the Scotch family anciently known as Maclan dhu, (son of Black John, ) an 
glicized in its present form of patronymic. He is one of the foremost Demo 
cratic advocates of the policy of protection, and in all the bitter internecine con 
flicts of his party in Congress on the tariff, he has stood by the great indus 
trial interests of the important manufacturing municipalities of Jersey City, 
and Hoboken, in his disUict, as against pro-British economic doctrines. Mr. 
McAdoo is a man of keen preceptions, a ready debater, and a conservative 
legislator. Mrs. McAdoo is a Virginian, her father having been engaged in 
mercantile pursuits at Lynchburg, and Richmond. She was one of the young 
wives among the ladies of the Representatives families toward whom Mrs. 
Cleveland turned for congenial acquaintance ?nd friendship when she entered 
the Executive Mansion as a bride. 

The second largest delegation in Congress is Pennsylvania, with twenty- 
eight Representatives, who not only figure conspicuously in general social 
affairs at the capital, but among themselves, with their handsome wives 
and beautiful daughters, constitute an interesting and gay circle. At the head 
of the delegation, in numerical order, stands General Edwin S. Osborne, of 
Wilkesbarre, Representative at- Large. He was a good soldier and is a zeal- 



140 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ous legislator. Mrs. Osborne was Ruth Ball, one of the most charming 
young ladies of the Wyoming Valley. She is a direct descendant of that fa 
mous old pioneer of over two centuries ago, Edward Ball, an English settler 
of Branford, Connecticut, before 1640, the first settler of Newark, New Jer 
sey, and first surveyor of the Passaic river. He belonged to a congregation 
of colonizing Presbyterians from Connecticut in 1667, who opened that section 
of New Jersey, and extended across the State into Pennsylvania. Mrs. Os- 
borne s father was William Ball, of Carbondale, the fifth generation from Ed 
ward Ball. He was one of the original managers of the Delaware and Hud 
son Company s enterprises in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and projector of 
the celebrated gravity road. 

General Henry H. Bingham is a widower, his wife, who was Mary Alexan 
der, daughter of Thomas S. Alexander, one of Baltimore s eloquent lawyers, 
having died two years ago. He was a brave soldier and carries scars of Get 
tysburg, Spottsylvania, and Farmville. He is a power in county, State, and 
national conventions. 

Representative Charles O Neill is a bachelor and legislator of long stand 
ing. He is now in his twelfth Congress consecutively. He is very popular 
jn Washington society, especially among the ladies, but the progress of years 
now tallying at sixty-five has overcome the ardor of former times in the enjoy 
ment of fashionable follies. 

Samuel J. Randall is the most skilful parliamentarian, ready debater and 
adroit leader on the Democratic side of the House. He began life as a mer 
chant, municipal politics as councilman, and State politics as Senator. He 
entered Congress in 1863, and was three times, 1876, 1877, and 1879, elected 
Speaker. Mrs. Randall is a native of Westchester county, New York, and 
daughter of Aaron Ward, a close friend of Andrew Jackson, Representative 
in Congress for fourteen years between 1825-43. Ann Randall, their daugh 
ter, is the wife of Charles Calvert Lancaster, a prominent lawyer of Washing 
ton. Their younger daughter, Susan, is still at school. 

Alfred C. Harmer is the most stately looking member of the delegation. 
He has been specially conspicuous since he entered the Forty-second Con 
gress for his untiring zeal in behalf of American industry. Mrs. Harmer 
was Lizzie Miller, of Mauch Chunk, whose father was one of the co-laborers 
of Asa Packer in the pioneer days of industrial development in the Lehigh 
Valley. 

James Bowen Everhart, who has been succeeded by Smedley Darlington, 
of West Chester, is a bachelor. He appeard little in society. Dr. I. New 
ton Evans, of Hatboro, who has been succeeded by Robert M. Yardley, of 
Doylestown, was a zealous attendant upon his public and social duties. Mrs. 



THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVES. 14! 

Evans was Miss Elizabeth Comly, of Montgomery county. Her daughter, 
Miss Gertrude Evans, assisted her in society. 

Daniel Ermentrout, of Reading, is one of the energetic members of the 
lower House. Mrs. Ermentrout, was Adelaide Louise Metzgar, daughter of 
one of Lancaster county s foremost merchants. She is interesting in conver 
sation, attractive in person, and genial in manner, and one of the popular ladies 
of the Representatives social sphere, 

J. A. Hiestand, of Lancaster, lawyer, journalist, and politician, belongs to 
the quartette of celibates in the delegation. Lancaster, congressionally, runs 
to bachelors, in the list appearing such names as James Buchanan, President 
of the United States; Thaddeus Stevens, the "great Commoner; " A. Herr 
Smith, the prudent counsel, and J. A. Heistand, the shrewd politician. Mr. 
Heistand was one of the builders of the stalwart Republican machine in Penn 
sylvania, under the directing genius of the elder Cameron. He goes into so 
ciety on all ceremonial occasions. 

\V. H. Sowden is a well-dressed, shrewd, short, stout, daimond-studded 
figure, a sample of the Pennsylvania German Democrat. He is not only an 
astute politician, parliamentarian and courtier, but his family is popular in the 
very best ranLs of official and fashionable life at the capital. Mrs. Sowden, a 
beautiful woman, was Mary Alice Huntsinger, daughter of Edward Huntsin- 
ger, a merchant of Schuylkill Haven. Her charming daughter Bessie took the 
highest honors, and was the valedictorian of her class at home, and graduated 
at the seminary at Lutherville, Md., a year ago. 

J. B. Storm, who will be followed by Ex- United States Senator Charles R. 
Buckalew, of Bloomsburg, is a close student, high up in educational matters, 
and a Jeffersonian Democrat. Mrs. Storm was Miss Keller, of Monroe coun 
ty, and has three interesting daughters. Miss Nellie Storm, a beautiful girl 
under twenty, made her debut last season, and was one of the attractive young 
ladies in the Representatives circle. 

Joseph A. Scranton, who comes by nativity from Connecticut, but a Penn- 
sylvanian since 1847, represents the region of the old Connecticut claims. He 
will be succeeded by John Lynch, of Wilkesbarre. Mrs. Scranton, a queenly 
woman, was Ada Meylert, daughter of war Democrat, General Meylert. Her 
daughter Lida was another of the Pennsylvania Congressional debutantes of 
last season. Miss Scranton is a brunette, tall, and of the form of a beautiful 
piece of statuary. The Scrantons were among the much-sought-after social 
stars of the capital. 

Charles X. Brumm, of Minersville, began as a watchmaker, and was a stu 
dent at law when he entered the ranks of the defenders of the Union under 
the first call of Lincoln for volunteers. He is about all that is left of the 



142 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Greenback craze of ten years ago. His father was a German from Schoen- 
brucken, and his mother was born near Strasburg, Germany. Mrs. Brumm, 
a most estimable lady, was Virginia James, of Minersville, a daughter of 
William James, one of the early coal operators of the Schuylkill basin, and sis 
ter of Henry James, district attorney of Schuylkill county, 

The capital district is represented by Franklin Bound, of Milton. Mrs. 
Bound, Emma C. Brown, of Milton, has taken little part in fashionable life, 
as she has a little society of her own in her interesting family. Frank C. 
Bunnell finished the unexpired term of Ulysses Mercur in Congress in 1872, 
but disappeared, and did not appear again until the last Congress. Mrs. 
Bunnell, formerly Martha Smith, is the daughter of a sturdy Monroe county 
farmer. 

"William Wallace Brown, of Bradford, a native of New York, who passed 
from the New York to the Pennsylvania service in the first year of the Rebel 
lion, and subsequently became aide to General Hartranft, entered with the 
Forty-eighth and went out with the Forty-ninth Congress, having been suc 
ceeded by Henry C. McCormick, of Williamsport. Miss Ellen Crandall, of 
Allegheny county, New York, where Mr. Brown was educated, became Mrs. 
Brown. Her daughter Jessie is an attractive young lady, either in her home 
or in society. General Jacob Miller Campbell, an old-time printer, a Missis 
sippi steamboatman, a "Forty-niner" of California, a Pennsylvania volunteer 
who rose from lieutenant to colonel, and one of the few remaining delegates 
to the first Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, in 1856, is an 
other relic of the first dynasty of Republican rule in the Commonwealth of 
Penn. His services have run through four Congresses, with one intermis 
sion. Edward Scull, of Somerset, will succeed him. Mrs. Campbell was 
Mary R. Campbell, of Alleghenny county, Pa, Her elder daughter is Mrs 
J. G. Kmney, of Braddock, Pa. Her younger daughter, in society, is Miss 
Eva A. Campbell, who has spent mu:h time in Washington, with her father. 
Dr. Louis E Atkinson, of Mirflmtown, entered the medical department of 
the United States army, m 1861, and was badly disabled in service. He is a 
man of high education and accomplishments, Mrs. Atkinson was Mary 
Mathers, daughter of James Mathers, a leading attorney at the Mifflintown 
bar. 

Dr. John A, Swope, who lives on the historic field of Gettysburg, comes 
down in direct line from Colonel Swope, of the Pennsylvania line in the Con 
tinental army. The first Mrs. Swope left three daughters, Mrs. Burrell, of 
Williamsport, Pa.; Mrs. Claybaugh, of Tawneytown, Md., and Mrs. Dully, 
of Gettysburg, Pa. The present Mrs. Swope was Blanche Mitchell, of Wash 
ington county, Pa. Dr. Swope has purchased a beautiful house in Washing- 



THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENATIVES. 143 

ton, where he will establish Mrs. Swope, who will superintend the education 
of her three daughters. Col. Levi Maish, of York, a member of a former 
Congress, will be Dr. Swope s successor. 

One of the most interesting figures in Congress is the venerable war Gov 
ernor of Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg Curtin, who lives in the charming 
mountain town of Bellefonte. His most notable achievement in his long and 
varied public service was the organization of the great army of Pennsylvania 
volunteers who responded to the call to arms in defense of the Union. The 
Ex-Governor is in great demand in all important social entertainments of the 
capital. He is a brilliant conversationalist, full of wit and wisdom, and as an 
after-dinner speaker has no superiors. In 1868 he was the choice of the Sol 
diers Convention for Vice-President of the United States. His grandfather, 
United States Senator Andrew Gregg, married a daughter of Gen Potter, who 
went to Centre county in 1765, and built Potter s Fort, in Penn s valley. The 
Ex-Governor will be succeeded by John Patton, of Curwensville, a Republi 
can. Mrs. Curtin is a sister of the late Colonel William Wilson, an officer on 
General Hancock s staff, and a grand daughter of General Potter, of Revolu 
tionary fame as commander of the Pennsylvania line She has several mar 
ried daughters Mrs. Sage, of Ithaca, N. Y., and Mrs. Dr, Harris, of Belle 
fonte, and a daughter the widow of Captain Breeze, of the navy. Miss Katie 
Curtin, the youngest daughter, and a great favorite in society, is in bad health. 

Charles E. Boyle, whose successor will be Welty McCullough, a Republi 
can, of Greensburg, was a Representative of distinguished ability, as was 
shown on numerous occasions, when he was pressed to the front in grave 
parliamentary and political emergencies. Mrs. Boyle was Miss Henderson, 
of Uniontown, a farmer s daughter. She is a woman of remarkable force. 
In society she exhibits aM the grace and ease of one born to fashionable life 
Her t\A o interesting daughters, Fannie and Florence, and son, C. E. Boyle, 
Jr,, are at school in Philadelphia. 

General James S. Negley, who will be succeeded by John Dalzell, also of 
Pittsburg, was a brave soldier in Mexico. In the late war he began as a 
brigadier and ended as a irajor general of volunteers. Mrs. Negley was 
Grace Ashton, a niece of Hubley Ashton, the distinguished counselor. Her 
daughters , Grace, Edith, and Mabel, are at school. Her sister, Miss Dolly 
Ashton, is a tall, beautiful blonde. 

Colonel Thomas M. Bayne won his title as the gallant commander of the 
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and his reputation 
for the highest qualities of a soldier, at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. 
His first Congressional attempt was a failure, owing to divided party interest. 
In the next contest, for the Forty-fifth Congress, he came out triumphantly, 



144 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and since then has effectively demonstrated his worth as a National represent 
ative and legislator. Mrs. Bayne, who was Miss Ellen Smith, of Pittsburg, 
daughter of Dr. William Smith, of one of the oldest and most highly res 
pected of the families of western Pennsylvania, is an exceptionally beautiful 
woman. She is tall and queenly, a brunette, with jet-black eyes and raven 
hair. She dresses elegantly and takes a prominent part in society. 

Oscar L Jackson is a bachelor. In State affairs he was a member of the 
commission to codify the laws and to devise a plan for the government of 
cities of Pennsylvania. His abilities are felt in the business of the House. 

Alexander Colwell White, whose successor is James T. Maffett, of Corry, 
taught school for the means of an education, and served in the ranks of the 
Union army. Mrs. White was Ellen Mary Murray, also a native of Jefferson 
county. She was a very agreeable acquisition to the Pennsylvania colony du 
ring the season. 

Captain George W. Fleeger, a widower, was a brave soldier and a sagacious 
legislator. He was not a candidate for reelection. His district will be repre 
sented by Norman Hall, of Sharon. 

William L. Scott, of Erie, lives in princely style, on Farragut Square, in 
one of the finest private residences in Washington. Mr. Scott is a native of 
Washington, began life in 1840 as a page in the House of Representatives, 
and settled in Erie eight years after, as a shipping clerk. In later life he was 
connected in business with Samuel J. Tilden. He is one of the party leaders 
of the Democracy in State and national politics, and has twice been elected in 
a strongly Republican district. Mrs. Scott was Miss Mary Tracy, daughter 
of John Tracy, prominently connected with the Chicago and Northwestern 
railroad. Her eldest daughter, Minnie Tracy Scott, is the accomplished wife 
of R. H. Townsend, jr., of Cassatt, Townsend & Co., bankers, Philadelphia. 
Her younger daughter, Annie M. Scott, is Mrs, Strong, the charming wife of 
the president of the Union Coal Company. Mr. Scott s daughter, Mrs. Town- 
send, who visits Washington, winters, entertains magnificently at her father s 
residence. Her drawing-rooms, teas, and evening receptions are among the 
great social events of the season. Mr. Scott is the wealthiest man in the 
House of Representatives, the value of his possessions exceeding fifteen mil 
lion dollars. He is the largest individual coal operator in the world, employ 
ing ten thousand men in mining and shipping. He has anthracite mines in 
Eastern Pennsylvania, and bituminous mines in Western Pennsylvania, Illi 
nois, and Iowa. He also owns docks for the shipment of his coal, at all the 
principal ports on the chain of northern lakes. He is very fond of blooded 
race stock. In addition to his Erie farm, he has a farm of 3,000 acres at 
Charles City, Virginia, for wintering his horses. 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. 145 

The distinguished Representative, in the Forty-ninth Congress, from Dela 
ware, Charles B. Lore, of Wilmington, a gentleman of culture and learning, 
who will be succeeded by John B. Pennington, one of the most prominent 
men of his State, was one of the active members of the House of Repre 
sentatives. Mrs. Lore was Rebecca A. Bates, daughter of Josiah Bates, a 
prominent manufacturer of Mount Holly, N. J. She has spent each season 
at Washington during Mr. Lore s service in the House. Her social attrac 
tions will long be remembered. Her beautiful daughter, Emma, is finishing 
her education. She is an accomplished musician, and created a sensation at 
one of her mother s popular drawing-rooms by the excellence of her per 
formances. 

Among Mrs. Lore s guests was Harriet Pennawall Belt, daughter of Z. 
James Belt, a prominent citizen of Wilmington, who before reaching twenty 
had written several novels of positive merit. She is also a fine musician. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE WESTERN AND PACIFIC REPRESENTATIVES. 

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO BUILT UP A WESTERN EMPIRE TYPICAL OF 
THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM 
OHIO, INDIANA, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, 

KANSAS, NEBRASKA, COLORADO, CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, AND OREGON 
THEIR LADIES. 

f) 
ROM the ten cis and trans-Mississippi States which occupy an area of 
about seven hundred and fifty thousand square miles in the great region 
i of agricultural industries, and rapidly expanding manufacturing inter 
ests, with a population of fifteen million inhabitants, gather at the seat of Gov 
ernment one hundred and one Representatives who exert a controlling in 
fluence in Congressional affairs. They are generally men of rugged character, 
but sterling qualities, and possess all the fire and spirit of western institutions. 
They are, as a rule, the men or the sons ot the men and women who within 
their own generation transformed the great basin of the upper Mississippi and 
its tributaries from a wild region of the most fierce and warlike of the aborigi 
nal tribes of the American hemisphere, and the scene of the most desperate 
experiences, and bloody encounters of frontier life in the irresistable westward 
march of the course of empire, into a land of peace, security, civilization and 
progress. In their social habits and inclinations, they are typical of the earn 
estness and aggressiveness of the American character. Among the ladies of 
their families are the noblest examples of American womanhood, who illus- 

10 



146 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

trate the adaptability of American women to any sphere in life, however high 
and exacting. 

The oldest of these States, Ohio, sent to the lower branch of the Forty- 
ninth Congress a delegation of men who exerted a positive influence in legisla 
tion, and who appeared prominently in social affairs. In the list were Benjamin 
Butterworth, and Charles Ellwood Brown, the former one of the leaders on 
the left of the House, and the latter a brave soldier, having lost a leg before 
Atlanta; James E. Campbell, of Hamilton; Charles M. Anderson, of Green 
ville; Benjamin Lefevre, of Maplewood; William D. Hill, of Defiance; 
George Egbert Seney, of Tiffin a man of influence in State and national pol 
itics ; John Little, of Xenia, former Attorney General of Ohio; William C. 
Cooper of Mount Vernon, mayor and legislator ; Jacob Romeis, of Toledo, 
a protectionist who twice defeated Frank Hurd, a freetrader, in a Democratic 
district; William W. Ellsberry, of Georgetown, a distinguished physician, 
and medical authority ; Albert Clifton Thompson, of Portsmouth, who left 
the bench to serve in the war, receiving dangerous wounds; Joseph H. Outh- 
waite, of Columbus, an educator and attorney; Charles H. Grosvenor, of 
Athens, grandson of Col. Thomas Grosvener of the second Connecticut regi 
ment, in the Revolution, son of major Peter Grosvenor in the tenth Connec 
ticut in the war of 1812, and himself a Brevet Brigadier General in the war of 
the Rebellion; Beriah Wilkins, of Urichsville; George W. Geddes, of Mans 
field, distinguished on the bench and at the bar; A. J. Warner, of Marietta, 
wounded at Antietam; Isaac Hamilton Taylor, of Carrolton; EzraB. Taylor, 
of Warren, of the Ohio bench; William McKinley, jr., of Canton, one of the 
leaders of the protection forces of the Republicans, and Martin Ambrose 
Foran, of Cleveland, an authority on legal and constitutional questions. 

In the new Congress, through the re- districting of the State, Messrs. An 
derson, Le Fevre, Hill, Little, F 11s berry, Geddes, Warner, and I. H. Taylor, 
disappear from the roll, and E. S. Williams, of Troy ; S. S. Yoder, of Lima; 
M. M. Boothman, of Bryan; Robert P. Kennedy, of Bellefontaine; Jacob J. 
Pugsley, ofHillsboro; Charles Wickham, of Nor walk ; Joseph D. Taylor, of 
Cambridge, and George W. Grouse, of Akron, take their places. 

The ladies of the Ohio delegation were also active in the social life of Con 
gress. Mrs. Butterworth, who was Mary E. Seiler, of Harrisburg, daughter 
of a prominent member of the Dauphin county bar, was one of the society 
leaders. Her daughter, Mary E. Butterworth, not yet in society, is very 
pretty and will be a great favorite. Mrs. Romeis was Miss Kate Wscheeige, 
daughter of a citizen of Buffalo. Her daughter Emma is Mrs. Albert Kuhn, 
of Buffalo, and Catharine is Mrs. Charles Bhaer, of Toledo. Mrs. McKinley 
was Ida Saxton, whose grandfather was a pioneer and father a banker. The 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. 147 

other ladies in Washington during the season were Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. An 
derson, two daughters of Representative Brown, Mrs. Seney, a beautiful and 
accomplished lady, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Outhwaite, Mrs. Grosvenor and 
daughter, Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Geddes, Mrs. I. H. Taylor, and the daughter 
of Representative E. B. Taylor. 

The Indiana delegation is another of the strong Western representations in 
the House, and its ladies are among the most agreeable in social life. In the 
group are General Thomas M. Brown, of Winchester, a conspicuous figure 
in State and National politics; William S. Holman, of Aurora, who has been 
elected to twelve Congresses ; George W. Steele, of Marian, a gallant soldier 
of volunteers and regulars, and an active legislator; John J. Kleiner, former 
mayor of Evansville, whose successor is Alvin P. Hovey, of Mount Vernon; 
Thomas R. Cobb, of Vincennes, who gives way to John H. O Neall, of Wash 
ington; Jonas G. Howard, of Jeffersonville ; Courtland C. Matson, of Green 
Castle, one of the active men of the House ; William D. Bynum, of Indian 
apolis, former Speaker of the State lower House; James T. Johnson, of 
Rockville, a bright lawyer; Thomas B. Ward, of Lafayette, a learned judge, 
who has been succeeded by Joseph B. Cheadle, of Frankfort; William D. 
Owen, of Logansport, a minister of the Christian church; Robert Lowry, of 
Fort Wayne, judge and politician, who will be succeeded by lames B. White, 
of the same city, and George Ford, of South Bend, a fine lawyer, who drops 
out for Benjamin F. Shively. 

The ladies of the delegation who were present during the season were Mrs 
Holman, who was Abigail Knapp, of Vermont, daughter of a Methodist min 
ister. Miss Pamelia D. Holman, and Flora Eliza Holman the wife of L. C. 
Fletcher, a lawyer, assisted their mother in her social duties, and made her 
drawing-rooms exceedingly popular. Mrs. Steele was Marietta Swazee, 
daughter of one of the pioneers of Indiana, and a prominent lay delegate to 
the Methodist conference at Baltimore, in 1879. During Colonel Steele s ser 
vice as a regular officer on the frontiers, Mrs. Steele shared in the isolation of 
camp life. Her daughter, Meta Steele, in her teens, is an exceedingly bright 
young girl. Mrs. Steele is one of the attractive ladies of Congressional so 
ciety. Mrs, Bynum is also prominent in social life. Mrs. Ward and her 
three daughters, Mrs. Lowry and daughter, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Kleiner, Mrs. 
Johnston, and Mrs. Ford were among the other ladies. 

The Representatives from Illinois number twenty, and with their ladies 
formed an important social circle of their own, in the Forty-ninth Congress. 
Ransom W. Dunham, president of the Board of Trade, and Mrs. Dunham, 
were favorites in society; Frank Lawler, and Mrs. Lawler, and daughter; 
James H. Ward, who will be succeeded by William E. Mason, and George 



148 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Everett Adams, and Mrs. Adams, made up the Congressional and social rep 
resentation of the lake metropolis of Chicago. 

The interior representatives who are known in Congressional and social af 
fairs, are Albert J. Hopkins, and wife, of Aurora ; Robert Roberts Hitt, of 
Mount Morris, Secretary of Legation, at Paris, and later assistant Secretary 
of State ; and Mrs. Hitt, who are well known members of Washington soci 
ety; Thomas J. Henderson, of Princeton, a colonel in the late war, and Mrs- 
Henderson ; Ralph Plumb, of Streator, active in business and politics ; Lewis 
E. Payson, of Pontiac, formerly a county judge, and Mrs. Payson ; Nicholas 
Ellsworth Worthington, a prominent educator, who will be succeeded by 
Philip S. Post, of Galesburg; William H. Neece, of McComb, whose succes 
sor will be William H. Gest, of Rock Island, and James Riggs, of Winches 
ter, sheriff and legislator, to be succeeded by George A. Anderson, of Quincy. 
William M. Springer, of Springfield, is one of the best known members of 
the House. Mrs. Springer, Rebecca Ruter, daughter of Rev. Calvin W. 
Ruter, a distinguished member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is the 
author of " Beechwood," "Self," and many fugitive poems of high merit 
and among their guests v ere Josephine Hamilton, of Ocean Grove, New 
Jersey, Miss Alice F. Champion, of Germantown, Philadelphia, and Miss 
Dollie Armstrong, a niece, of Florence, Indiana. Their son, Ruter W. 
Springer, will graduate at the Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. 
In the list are also Jonathan H. Rowell, of Bloomington, States attorney, 
and wife; Joseph G. Cannon, of Danville, an astute politician, and Mrs. 
Cannon, who was Mary P. Reed, of Canfield, Ohio, and two beautiful daugh 
ters, Helen, educated at Wellesly, and Mable, educated in Washington ; Silas 
Z. Landes, of Mount Carmel; John R. F.den, of Sullivan, who will be fol 
lowed by Edward Lane, of Hillsborough, and William R. Morrison, of Wa 
terloo, who failing of election, was appointed a member of the Inter-State 
Commerce commission. He was the leader of the free trade forces in Con 
gress, and with his estimable wife, was a prominent feature in social life. He 
will be succeeded by Jehu Baker, of Belleville. Mrs. Morrison was Miss 
Ella Horine, one of the most popular young girls of Monroe county, Illinois, 
which is also the native county of her husband. Her father was a merchant 
of Waterloo, and one of the most influential and active Republicans of lower 
Illinois. In the famous Lincoln and Douglas campaign for the Senate Mr. 
Horine was the Lincoln candidate for the Legislature, and Colonel Monison 
was his Douglas opponent. The Colonel distanced his father in-law. Miss 
Horine was educated at the Illinois Methodist College for ladies, at Jackson 
ville, and became Mrs. Morrison before she was eighteen. When Mr. Morri 
son was a member of the Legislature at Springfield, she was with him, assist- 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. 149 

ing in his correspondence, and making his social life attractive. When he fell 
in the desperate assault on Fort Donaldson, at the head of the gallant Forty- 
ninth Illinois, and was reported killed, she hastened to the front of battle. She 
found awaiting her the sad but hopeful consolation of her brave husband s life 
spared, though suffering from a dangerous wound in the hip. Colonel Mor- 
lison s is the only name mentioned by the departed chieftain, Grant, in his ac 
count, in his memoires, of that deadly assault. Mrs. Morrison is a woman of 
attractive appearance, fine culture, and large experience. 

Richard W. Townshend, of Shawneetown, is another accomplished and 
genial man in his personal relations, and a strong man in the House. Mrs. 
Townshend is the daughter of Orville Poole, of Shawneetown, an old line 
Whig and banker, now deceased. Their daughter, Madeline, is in her teens. 
John R. Thomas, of Metropolis, is an agreeable member of Washington so 
ciety. Mrs Thomas was Jessie Beattie, of Red Bud, Illinois, daughter of 
Dr. A. B. Beattie, who was surgeon of Colonel W. R. Morrison s 49th Illi 
nois volunteers. His father settled in Randolph county, Illinois, in 1808. 
Dr. Beattie, originally from South Carolina, is a professor in McKendree Col 
lege, Lebanon, Illinois, and also in the St. Louis Medical University. Repre 
sentative Thomas daughter, Caroline, is attending Monticello College, near 
Alton. A young son is also at school. Among their guests were Miss Cora 
Draper, of Sanford, Florida, a niece, a beautiful blonde, and Miss Zaidee 
Thomas, of Baltimore, daughter of ex-Collector John L. Thomas, a charming 
brunette, and both very popular and greatly admired. 

In the Michigan delegation five out of the members of the Forty-ninth 
have been re-placed by new figures in the Fiftieth Congress. William C. May- 
bury, of Detroit, former lecturer on medical jurisprudence in the Michigan 
College of Medicine, will be succeeded by J. Logan Chipman; Nathaniel B. 
Eldridge, of Adrian, former mayor and sheriff of his town and county, will 
be succeeded by Edward Allen, of Ypsilanti; James O Donnell, of Jackson, 
editor of the Jackson Daily Citizen, and Julius C. Burrows, of Kalamazoo, 
a gentleman of fine oratorical powers and wide public experience, will remain. 
Charles Carter Comstock, of Grand Rapids, ex-mayor of his city, will be 
succeeded by Melbourne H. Ford, of the same place; Edwin B. \Vinans, of 
Hamburg, probate judge, by Mark S. Brewer, of Pontiac; and Ezra C. 
Carleton, of Port Huron, merchant and ex-mayor, by Justin R. Whiting, of 
Saint Clair. Timothy E. Tarsney, of East Saginaw, one of the aggressive 
men of Congress; Byron M. Cutcheon, of Manistee, one of the bravest sol 
diers in the army, having risen to the command of the second brigade, first 
division, army of the Potomac; Spencer O. Fisher, of West Bay City, ex- 
mayor, and Seth C. Moffat, of Traverse City, active in Michigan politics, have 
been continued. 



150 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The ladies of the delegation were Mrs. O Donnell, Mrs. Burrows, who is 
well known, Mrs. Comstock, Mrs. Carleton and daughter, Mrs. Cutcheon 
and Mrs. Fisher 

The State of Wisconsin sends nine Representatives to the constituent as 
sembly of the people in affairs of legislation in the persons of Lucien B. Case- 
well, of Fort Atkinson, a pupil of Senator Matt W. Carpenter ; Edward S. 
Bragg, of Fond du Lac, a gallant solder of the rebellion ; Robert M. La Fol- 
lette, of Madison, former district attorney; Isaac W. Van Schaick, of Mil 
waukee, councilman and legislator, who will be succeeded by Henry Smith, 
an Independent; Thomas R. Hudd, of Green Bay, Assemblyman and Sena 
tor; Richard Guenther, of Oshlosh, former State Treasurer of Wisconsin, 
to be succeeded by Charles Clark, of Neenah; Ormsby B. Thomas, of 
Prairie du Chien, soldier, lawyer, and legislator and Isaac Stephenson, of 
Marine tte, prominent in local affairs. The late Mr. Price will be succeeded 
by N. P. Hangen. 

Of the five Representatives from Minnesota, in the Forty-ninth Congress, 
but one will appear in the Fiftieth. Milo White, of Chatfield, former State 
Senator, has been succeeded by Thomas Wilson, of Winona; James B. 
B. W akefeld, of Blue Earth, ex Lieutenant Governor, by John Lind, of New 
Ulm; Horace B. Strait, of Shakopee, merchant and banker, by John L. Mc 
Donald, of the same place, and John B. Gilfillan, of Minneapolis, city attor 
ney and State Senator, by Edmund Rice, of St. Paul. Knute Nelson, of Al 
exandria, private soldier, Assemblyman, and State Senator, will be the only 
familiar figure of the delegation. 

The State of Iowa sends Benton J. Hall, of Burlington, now Commissioner of 
Patents, who has been succeeded by John H. Gear, oi that place; Jere 
miah H. Murphy, ex-mayor, of Davenport, to be succeeded by Walter J. 
Hayes, of Clinton; David Brenner Henderson, of Dubuque, a gallant sol 
dier able lawyer, and slullful politician; William E. Fuller, of West Union, 
a member of the Republican State Committee ; Benjamin Todd Frederick, 
of Marshalltown, succeeded by Daniel Kerr, of Grundy Centre; J. B. Weaver, 
of Blocmfield, private, lieutenant, major, and colonel of the Second Iowa 
Infantry, succeeding both the lieutenant-colonel and colonel, who were killed 
in the battle of Corinth; Edwin H. Conger, of-Adel, ex- State Treasurer of 
Iowa ; William Peters Hepburn, of Clarinda, general of brigade of cavalry, 
1 6th army corps, who will be succeeded by A. R. Anderson, Independent, of 
Sydney; Joseph Lyman, of Council Bluffs, another of Iowa s gallant soldiers; 
Adoniram Judson Holmes, of Boone, State legislator, and Isaac S. Stubble, 
of Le Mars, a private soldier in the late war, a prominent lawyer. 

The ladies of the delegation also made an interesting group in the social 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. IfJI 

life of Washington. Mrs. Henderson, a very charming lady, was Augusta 
Fox, daughter of A. H. Fox, of Los Angeles, California. Her daughter 
Angie, who last season entered society in Dubuque, will make her debut in 
Washington. Mrs. Weaver, Mrs. Conger, and two daughters of Mr. Fred 
erick were also among the Iowa ladies of the Representatives circle. 

The young and aggressive State of Kansas has returned all but one of her 
Representatives. In the list, therefore, appears the familiar name of Edmund 
N. Morrill, of Hiawatha, a member of the Territorial Legislature of Kansas, 
and President pro tern, of the State Senate, 1879; Edward H. Funston, of 
lola, farmer, legislator, Speaker of the State Assembly; Bishop W. Perkins, 
of Oswego, six times elected to the bench; Thomas Ryan, of Topeka, who 
bears scars of the desperate battles of the Wilderness, Assistant United States 
attorney for Kansas; John A Anderson, of Manhattan, Presbyterian minis 
ter, chaplain, educator; Lewis Hanbach, of O^borne, State judge, who will 
be succeeded by Erastus J. Turner, of Kenneth, and Samuel Ritter Peters, 
State Senator and judge. 

Among the ladies of the delegation in Washington during the season were 
Mrs. Ryan, a Miss Sarah E. Coolbaugh, of Towanda, Pennsjlvania, daughter 
of a farmer on the North Branch of the Susquehanna, a favorite i i social 
circles. Mrs, Perkins and Mrs. Peters were among the other ladies. 

The Representatives in Congressional and social life number three from Ne 
braska. Archibald S. Weaver, of Falls City, constitutional lawyer and judge, 
after serving in two Congresses, wi 1 be succeeded by John A. McShane, of 
Omaha; James Laird, of Hastings, a Michigan and Nebraska lawyer, and 
George W. Dorsey, of Fremont, a Union soldier, from West Virginia, a law 
yer and banker of Nebraska, and chairman of his State Republican Committee. 
Mrs. Dorsey, who is one of the prettiest and most agreeable ladies in Wash 
ington society, was Emma E. Benton, of New Haven, Connecticut. Her 
father, a leading lawyer, belonged to one of the oldest families in New En 
gland. Mrs. Dcrsey is a lady of medium size, fine figure, dark blue eyes, 
fine manners, and full of taste in her toilettes. 

The State of Colorado, dividing amid the peaks of the Rocky mountains, 
and sweeping Atlantic jvard, and Pacificward, appropriately rounded the first 
century of the Republic in its admission into the Union, in the Centennial 
year, as the Centennial Commonwealth, and well defines the limits of that 
great inter-oceanic empire which sweeps from the Allegheny to the Rocky 
mountains. In the council of the people it is represented by George G. 
Symes, of Denver, who beginning his career in the ranks of the brave Wiscon 
sin volunteers, at the first battle of Bull Run, served with distinction to the 
end of the war, in defense of the Union, and from associate justice of the 



152 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Supreme Court of Montana, became a resident of Colorado two years before 
it became a State. 

Mrs. Symes figures in the gay life of the capital, not only very pleasantly, 
but makes the social surroundings of the Representative of the youngest of 
the sisterhood of States very attractive and popular. 

The three Pacific States embracing an area of nearly four hundred thousand 
square miles, with little over a million people, send eight Representatives to 
the capital to participate in the work of legislation, and who do credit to their 
constituencies in the affairs of social life. 

In the list from the golden State of California, are Barclay Henley, of Santa 
Rosa, son of Thomas J. Henley, Representative from Indiana, 1842-49, mem 
ber of the State Assembly, who will be succeded by T. L. Thompson, of Santa 
Rosa; J. A. Loutitt, of Stockton, who will be followed by Marion Biggs, of 
Gridley ; Joseph McKenna, of Suisun, a Republican politician of prominence ; 
William W. Morrow, of San Francisco, chairman of the Republican State 
Committee; Charles N. Felton, of San Mateo, former assistant Treasurer of 
the United States, and Henry H. Markham, of Pasadena, who will be suc 
ceeded by William Vandever, of Los Angeles 

The ladies of the delegation were not only very attractive, but among the 
most popular in the social gayeties of the season. They were Mrs. Henley, 
Mrs. McKenna, Mrs. Markham, and Miss Felton. 

The State of Nevada, with a population of less than one half the quota to 
entitle it to a single representation in Congress, takes its place congressionally 
and socially in the person of William Woodburn, of Virginia City, who was 
a member of the Forty fourth before he entered the Forty-ninth Congress, 
and is one of the active men on the floor. 

The distant State of Oregon is also well represented by Binger Herman, 
of Roseburg, a legislator of State experience, which has been put to honora 
ble use in the larger sphere of making laws for a nation. 




THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. 153 



CHAPTER XXII. 
THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. 

A NEW GENERATION IN THE CONGRESSIONAL AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THE CAP- 
ITAL THE REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEIR LADIES, OF MARYLAND, VIR 
GINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, ALABAMA, 
MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, MISSOURI, TENNESSEE, KEN 
TUCKY, AND WEST VIRGINIA. 

&lt;-^^) 

,-{-.lpH IFTEEN States of the south contribute one hundred and twenty Repre 
sentatives to the membership of the lower House of Congress, and 
\2& with their ladies form an interesting representation of the social life, 
habits, and customs of a section comprising one fourth the whole area of the 
United States, and one third their population. With two or three exceptions, 
out of the entire list, none remain of the days of the brilliant regime of the 
old school of southern statesmen and politician. The events of a quarter 
of a century have brought into the counsels of the nation and in the social life 
of the capital a new generation. 

In this bright array of the progressive statesmanship and social culture of 
the constituencies of the South, Maryland leads in geographical position. In 
the personnel of her delegation she presents Charles Hopper Gibson, of 
Easton, auditor and commissioner in Chancery and state s attorney; Frank 
T. Shaw, of Westminster, clerk of the Circuit Court, and member of the Dem 
ocratic State Central Committee of his portion of the State; Henry Wells Rusk, 
of Baltimore, former member of the House of Delegates and Senate ; John V. 
L. Eindlay, of Baltimore, ex-city solicitor, who will be succeeded by Isi- 
dor Raynor ; Barnes Compton, of Laurel, who was state treasurer when 
elected to Congress, and Lewis Emory McComas, of Hagerstown, one of the 
youngest, being thirty-nine, and one of the handsomest members of the 
House on the Republican side. 

The ladies of the Maryland delegation, Mrs. Rusk, Mrs. Findlay, and Mrs. 
McComas, were among the most attractive in the circles of fashionable gaye- 
ties at the capital. Mrs. McComas, a native of Baltimore, and very popular 
in society, as a young lady, was Leah M. Humrichouse, daughter of C. W. 
Humrichouse, a well-known merchant of that city. Miss Emma McComas, 
a sister of the Representative, was among her guests, and contributed to the 
attractions of the members social surroundings. 

The representation from Virginia in the Fiftieth Congress will lose eight 
out ten of its well-hnown figures in the social life of the capital; Thomas 
Croxton, of Tappahannock, attorney for the Commonwealth 1852, will be 



SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

succeeded by T. H. B. Brown, of Accomack; Henry Libbey, of Old Point 
Comfort, ex-presiding justice of his county, will be followed by George E. 
Bowden, of Norfolk; George D. Wise, of Richmond, captain in the Confed 
erate army and States Attorney, is one of those who will remain; James D. 
Brady, of Petersburg, a nat .ve of Virginia, who rose from private to colonel 
in the New York volunteers, during the rebellion, and returning to Virginia 
became clerk of the courts of Portsmouth, his native county, will be sue. 
ceeded by W. E. Gaines, of Burkeville; George C. Cabell, of Danville, an 
officer of the Confederacy, twice wounded, will be succeeded by John R. 
Brown, of Martinsville; John Warwick Daniel, of Lynchburg, United States 
Senator-elect, will be succeeded by Samuel G. Hopkins, of Lynchburg, an 
Independent in politics; Charles Triplet O Ferrall, of Harrisonburg, who 
rose from private to colonel, and at the surrender was in command of all the 
Confederate cavalry in the Shenandoah valley, has been continued. John S. 
Barbour, of Alexandria, for twenty-nine years railroad president, will be fol 
lowed by W. H. F. Lee, of Burke s station; Connally F. Trigg, of Abingdon, 
State s Attorney for his county, will be replaced by H. C. Bowen, of Taze- 
well C. PI. ; and John Randolph Tucker, of Lexington, Attorney General of 
Virginia, Professor of Equity and Public Law at Washington and Lee Uni 
versity, a member of six Congresses, chairman of the judiciary committee and 
a man of legal erudition and an ancient and distinguished family, being a 
nephew of John Randolph, of Roanoke, will be succeeded by Jacob Yost, of 
Staunton, an active Virginia Republican. 

The ladies of the Virginia delegation were well represented in Mrs. Tucker 
and M,rs. O Ferrall. 

Mrs. Randolph Tucker, one of the most charming and well-preserved of the 
elderly married ladies, as a young lady was Laura Holmes Powell, a noted 
beauty of Loudoun county, Virginia, daughter of Colonel Humphrey Brooke 
Powell, and great grand-daughter of Levin Powell, a colonel of the revolu 
tion, a Representative in the first Congresses, and a Federalist, who cast the 
only vote from Virginia for John Adams for President. Her father was Major 
Burr Powell, a lawyer and large land owner. Her unmarried daughter is 
Miss Laura Randolph Tucker, a petite brunette in her twenties, educated at 
Richmond and Winchester, and very bright. She converses in French with 
the fluency and charm of a Parisian belle. The eMest daughter, Evaline 
Hunter Tucker, is Mrs. Wilmer H. Shields, wife of a large cotton planter of 
Concordia parish, Louisiana. The second daughter is Anne Holmes Tucker, 
now Mrs. Dr. William P. Maguire, of Winchester. Dr. Maguire is a brother 
of Dr. Hunter Maguire, "Stonewall " Jackson s Medical Director. The third 
daughter is Virginia Brooke Tucker, wife of the well-known civil engineer, 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. 

John Carmichael, of Georgia. Another is Mrs. John L. Logan, wife 
New York lawyer. The only son is Henry St. George Tucker, a p/otninent 
lawyer of Staunton, Virginia, who married Henrietta Preston Johnstoj*, a 
grand daughter of General Albert Sidney Johnston, who was killed" q 



tie of Shiloh. *~ 



Mrs. O Ferrall, another very charming lady, was Jennie Wickliffe Rjhlr 
a native of Nottaway county, Virginia, daughter ot Colonel William C. K^highl^ * 
a grand nephew of George Walton, of Virginia, signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. Among her guests was Miss Bettie Bland Knight, cousin of 
Mrs. O Ferrall, and daughter of Captain John H. Knight, of Farmville, Vir 
ginia. 

The North Carolina representation in congressional and social circles will 
have many new faces. Thomas Gregory Skinner, of Hertford, who served 
in two Congresses, will be succeeded by Lewis E. Latham, of Greenville; 
James E. O Hara, of Enfield, a popular Slate legislator, by F. M. Simmons, of 
New Berne ; \Vharton J. Green, of Fayetteville, an active politician, State 
and National, by C. W. McClammy, of Burgaw ; William Rufiin Cox, of 
Raleigh, who commanded a Confederate division in the last charges at Appo 
matox, judge and legislator, by John Nichols Ind, of Raleigh; James Wesley 
Reed, of \Yentworth, lawyer, farmer and county treasurer, by John M. Brow- 
er, of Mount Airy, and Risden T. Bennett, of Wadesborough, who rose from 
private to colonel in the Confederate service, by Alfred Rowland, of Lumber- 
ton, The three representatives who will continue in the Fiftieth Congress, 
are John Steele Henderson, of Salisbury, one of three commissiomrs to 
codify the State laws ; W 7 . H. H. Cowles, of W ilkesborough, member of the 
Democratic State Committee for eight years, and Thomas Dillard Johnston, 
of Asheville, who received three desperate wounds in the Confederate ranks 
at Malvern Hill, assemblyman, and State legislator. 

The ladies of the delegation, Mrs. Skinner, Mrs, O Hara, Mrs. Steele, and 
daughter, Mrs. Cowles, and Mrs. Johnston, made an interesting representa 
tion of the social life of the "Old North State." 

South Carolina contributes seven to the personnel of the House. Samuel 
Dibble, of Orangeburg, State legislator; George D Tillman, of Edgefield, 
cotton planter, and politician; D. Wyatt Aiken, of Cokesburg, member of the 
executive committee of the National Grange for fourteen years, who will be 
succeeded by James S. Cothran, of Abbeville C. H.; W illiam Hayne Perry, 
of Greenville, a State legislator ; John J. Hemphill, of Chester, a lawyer of abil 
ity; George W 7 . Dorgan, of Darlington, lawyer and politician, and Rabert 
Smalls, of Beaufort. Mr. Smalls was born and raised a slave, self-educated, 
served in the Atlantic blockading squadron, from pilot to captain, was briga- 



156 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

dier general of State militia, and delegate to National Republican conventions 
since 1872. He will be succeeded by William Elliot, of Beaufort. 

Georgia comes forward congressionally and socially with Thomas M. Nor 
wood, of Savannah, United States Senator from 1871-7; Henry G. Turner, of 
Quitman, who entered in the Forty-seventh Congress; Charles Frederick 
Crisp, of Americus, solicitor general and judge; Henry R. Plarris, of Green 
ville, member of the Georgia convention of 1861, who will be followed by 
Thomas M. Grimes, of Columbus; Nathaniel J. Hammond, of Atlanta, solic- 
etor general and attorney general, succeeded by John D. Stewart, of Griffin; 
James H. Blount, of Macon, who entered with the Forty-third Congress; 
Judson C. Clements, of La Fayette, former State Senator ; Seaborn Reese, of 
Sparta, who succeeded A. H. Stephens, upon his election as Governor, to be 
followed by Henry PI. Carlton, of Athens ; Allen D. Candler, of Gainesville 
manufacturer, planter, and State legislator, and George T. Barnes, of Augusta, 
member of the National Democratic Committee. 

Mrs. Blount, an interesting lady in society, was Eugenia Wylie, daughter 
of a prominent physician, of Macon. Her mother was sister of Judge Clop- 
ton, of the supreme bench of Alabama. Her daughter Eugenia D. Blount 
is at school. Miss May Bacon was Mrs. Blount s guest. The other ladies 
in society during the season were Mrs. Clements, Mrs Barnes, and a daugh 
ter of Representative Crisp. 

The two Representatives from Florida, Robert H. M. Davidson, of Quincy, 
who enters his sixth Congress with the Fiftieth, and Charles Dougherty, oi 
Port Orange, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, are well 
known in Washington public and social life. 

The State of Alabama is an important factor in legislation, and presents an 
interesting figure in social affairs. The gentlemen who represent the grow 
ing Commonwealth congressionally, are James Taylor Jones, of Dempolis, 
a State Senator; Hillery A. Herbert, of Montgomery, disabled in command 
of a Confederate regiment in the battle of the Wilderness, and chairman oi 
the Committee on Naval Affairs ; William C. Gates, of Abbeville, who lost an 
arm in front of Richmond; Alexander C. Davidson, of Uniontown, cotton 
planter ; Thomas William Sadler, of Prattville, planter, who will be succeed 
ed by James E. Cobb, of Tuskegee; John Mason Morton, of Tuscaloosa, pro 
fessor of equity jurisprudence in the University of Alabama, who will be suc 
ceeded by John H. Bankhead, of Fayette C. H.; William Henry Forney, oi 
Jacksonville, a distinguished officer in the Confederate service, from captain 
to brigadier general, and who surrendered at Appomattox, and Joseph Wheel 
er, of Wheeler, a distinguished cavalry corps commander of the Confederacy 
in the west. 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. I$7 

The social life of Representative Herbert during the season was made pe 
culiarly interesting by the debut of his eldest daughter, Miss Lela Herbert. 
Her younger sister, Ella H. Herbert, who will finish her education during 
the present year, will make her debut the coming season. Both young ladies 
are very pretty, accomplished, highly educated, and will be among the belles 
in future social gayeties. Their mother, who died in 1885, was a lady 
of remarkable force. Before her marriage she was Miss Ella Smith, of Selma, 
Alabama, daughter of Washington M. Smith, late president of the Bank of 
Selma. Mrs. Herbert was vice-regent for Alabama of the Ladies Mount 
Vernon Association. Through her exertions the hall of the mansion was as 
signed to Alabama, and money was raised to restore it as it appeared in the 
life of Washington. Among the guests of the Misses Herbert was Miss Ida 
Smith, of Selma, a young lady of many attractions. 

Mrs. Gates, another of the popular ladies of the Representatives circle, was 
Miss Sallie Toney. She is young and beautiful. She entertained among her 
guests her sisters, Mrs. Carrie H. Bradford, and Misses Ida and Clara Toney, 
ladies of elegant manners and many accomplishments, who reside at their 
family seat, Roseland, near Eufaula, Alabama. They are well-known in 
Washington society and very popular. 

Mrs. Wheeler, also a great favorite, was Miss Ella Jones. She was one of 
the prettiest young ladies in Alabama. Her mother was daughter of Governor 
Early, of Georgia, who was in one of the first Congresses. He was chair 
man of the committee which presented articles of impeachment against Judge 
Chase. The Misses Wheeler, Lizzie and Anne, are great favorites in society. 
Both are young, pretty, and gifted. The youngest daughter, Julia, is still at 
school. 

The other ladies of the delegation were Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Davidson 
and daughter. 

The Mississippi Representatives are John M. Allen, of Tupelo, State dis 
trict attorney; James Bright Morgan, of Hernando, Grand Master of Masons 
of his State; Thomas Clendinen Catchings, of Vicksburg, former attorney- 
general of his State; F. G. Barry, of West Point, formerly member of the 
State Senate; Otho R. Singleton, one of the oldest members of the House, 
who having served in three Congresses before the rebellion, withdrew with 
his State, served 1861-5 in the Confederate Congress, and again 1875-87 in 
the Congress of the United States, who will be succeeded by C. L. Anderson, 
of Kosciusko; Henry S. Van Eaton, of Hoodville, a native of Ohio, and 
State s attorney before the war, who will be followed by Thomas R. Stockdale, 
of Summit; and Ethelbert Barksdale, of Jackson, in the Congress of the Con. 
federacy, and prominent in State politics in 1850, who will be succeeded by 
Charles E. Hooker, of Jackson. 



158 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The delta State of Louisiana has been ably represented in the lower House 
in Louis St. Martin, of New Orleans, a member of the Thirty-second Con 
gress 1851-3, who will be followed by Theodore S. Wilkinson; and Nathaniel 
Dick Wallace, of New Orleans, president of the produce exchange, who will 
be succeeded by Matthew D. Lagan, of New Orleans; Edward J. Gay, o* 
Plaquemine, first president of the Louisiana sugar exchange; Newton Grain 
Blanchard, of Shreveport, one of the active politicians of the "Pelican 
State; J. Floyd King, of Vidalia, colonel of artillery in the Confederate ser 
vice, who will be succeeded by Cherubusco Newton, of Bastrop; and Alfred 
Briggs Irion, of Marksville, judge of the circuit court of appeals, who wil 
have Edward W. Robertson, of Baton Rouge, as his successor. 

The vast State of Texas furnishes some of the active men of the House, 
among them Charles Stewart, of Houston, a prominent lawyer; John H 
Reagan, of Palestine, who settled in the Republic of Texas, and rendered dis 
tinguished service in his State, who has been changed to the Senatorial circle; 
James PL Jones, of Henderson, with C. B. Kilgore, of Mills Point, as his 
successor; David B. Culberson, of Jefferson, who has been elected to seven 
Congresses; James W. Throckmorton, of McKenney, who voted against se 
cession, and Governor after the rebellion, who has Silas Hare, of Sherman, 
as his successor; Olin Wellborn, of Dallas, who will be succeeded by Joseph 
Abott, of Hillsborough; W. H. Grain, of Cuero, an active legislator; James 
Francis Miller, of Gonzales, banker and planter, who will be followed by L &lt; 
W. Moore, of La Grange; Roger Q. Mills, of Corsicana, elected to eight 
Congresses and member of the Committee on Ways and Means; Joseph D. 
Sayres, of Bastrop, former lieutenant-governor; and Samuel W. T. Lanham, 
of Weatherford, district State attorney general. 

Among the ladies of the delegation were Mrs. Culberson and daughter, 
Mrs, Mills, Mrs. Sayers, Mrs. Lanham, and Mrs. Reagan and daughter. 

The State of Arkansas sends her entire delegation back to the Fiftieth Con 
gress. Their names already familiar to Congressional and social life are 
Poindexter Dunn, of Forest City, elected to five Congresses and one of the 
active members of the Democratic side ; Clifton R. Breckenridge, of Pine 
Bluff, cotton planter, member of the Committee on Ways and Means, and 
member of the celebrated family of that name ; Thomas C. McRea, of Pres- 
cott, a gentleman of large legal experience ; John Henry Rogers, of Fort 
Smith, a prominent attorney, and Samuel W. Peel, of Bentonville, district 
prosecuting attorney. 

Mrs. Poindexter Dunn is one of the best known of the ladies of the South, 
and has figured actively in several important social enterprises for charitable 
work. Mrs. Breckenridge and Mrs. Rogers were also favorably known so 
cially. 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENATIVES. 159 

The progiessive State cf Missouri, with a larger delegation in the House 
than any other from the South, is not only strong as to numbers, but as well 
as to ability and social influence. She presents in her list the names of Wil 
liam Henry Hatch, of Hannibal, assistant commissioner of exchange of pris 
oners under the cartel till the close of the war; John Black well Hale, of Car- 
rolton, colonel of Missouri militia in the United States service, in the late war 
who will be followed by Charles II. Mansur, of Chillicothe; Alexander 
Monroe Dockery, of Gallatin, one of the leaders in Missouri Democratic pol 
itics ; James Nelson Burns, of St. Joseph, former judge of the Court of Com 
mon Pleas; William Warner, of Kansas City, circuit attorney, and mayor; 
John T. Heard, of Sedalia, prosecuting attorney for the fund commissioners 
of his State ; John E. Hutton of Mexico, who entered in the Forty-ninth Con 
gress ; John J. O Neill, of St. Louis, influential in municipal, State, and Na 
tional politics ; John Milton Glover, of St. Louis, a leading lawyer ; Martin 
Linn Clardy, of Farmington, elected to five Congresses, and one of the most 
active members of that body ; RicLard Parks Bland, of Lebanon, elected to 
eight Congresses; William J. Stone, of Nevada, county prosecuting attorney, 
and one ofthe youngest members of the House; William H. Wade, of Spring 
field, farmer and State legislator, and William Dawson, of New Madrid, 
who will be succeeded by James P. Walker, of Dexter City. 

The ladies present during the season were Mrs. Hatch and daughter, Mrs. 
Dockery, Mrs. Heard, Mrs. Clardy, Mrs. Stone, and Mrs. Bland. 

Among the most brilliant events in the social world at the capital during 
the season was the marriage of Representative Grover, to one of the daughters 
of Mrs. Patten, the wealthy widow of a Navada miner. 

Among the strong men in public and social life are the Tennessee Repre 
sentatives, Augustus H. Pettibone, of Greenville, district attorney-general, 
whose successor will be Roderick R. Butler, of Mountain City, known in 
former Congresses; Leonidas C. Houck, of Knoxville, member of the loyal 
East Tennessee convention, iS6i, who served in the Union forces ofthe State, 
and leader in Republican politics; John Randolph Neal, of Rhea Springs, a 
State legislator and Democratic politician; Benton McMillan, of Carthage, 
special circuit judge; James D. Richardson, of Murfreesboro, former speaker 
of the State House of Representatives; Andrew J. Calwell, of Nashville, for 
eight years district attorney-general, who will be succeeded by Joseph E. 
Washington, of Cedar Hill; John G. Ballentine, of Pulaski, to be followed 
by ex-United States Senator Washington C. Whitthorne, of Columbia; John 
May Taylor, of Lexington, attorney-general of the eleventh circuit, whose 
successor is Benjamin A. Enloe, of Jackson; Presley T. Glass, of Ripley, 
farmer, merchant, and legislator, of a revolutionary family of distinction; 



l6o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and Zachary Taylor, ofCovington, former State Senator, who will be succeed 
ed by James Phelan, of Memphis. 

Among the ladies of the delegation, Mrs. Glass, an attractive and intel 
lectual woman, is favorably known in society. She was Miss Susan Taylor 
Barber, daughter of Dr. A. J. Barber, a distinguished physician of Browns 
ville, Tennessee. Her daughter, Ada Pauline, is the wife of W. P. H. But 
ler, of Flippin, Tennessee, son of a Baptist minister. She forms part of hei 
father s household during the season, and is accomplished and attractive. H, 
D. Glass, the leading merchant of Ripley, son of the Representative, visits 
Washington part of the season. 

Mrs. Houck, who was Miss Bellar, a native of Canada, is a niece, on hei 
mother s side, of General Goldie, of the English army. The daughter of 
former wife, Miss Annie Houck, is at school. The Representative s sons, 
J. C. Houck and Lincoln C. Houck, lawyers of Knoxville, are well knowr 
in Washington. The former, a prominent politician, is secretary of the State 
Republican and chairman of his county committee. Mrs. Taylor was Mis: 
Ophelia Herring, of Tipton county, Tennessee. The two daughters of Repre 
sentative Richardson were also very popular in a large circle. 

Kentucky presents another strong front in her legislative and social rela 
tions in William Johnson Stone, of Kuttawa, speaker of the Kentucky House 
Polk Laffoon, of Madisonville, teacher, lawyer, county attorney; John E 
Halsell, of Bowling Green, county attorney and circuit judge, who will b&lt; 
followed by W. Godfrey Hunter, of Burkesville ; Thomas A. Robertson, o 
Elizabethtown, Commonwealth attorney, whose successor is A. J. Mont 
gomery, of Elizabethtown; Albert A. S. Willis, of Louisville, an active poli 
tician and lawyer, who will be succeeded by Asher G. Caruth; John G. Carlisle 
of Covington, who honors his State in the Speaker s chair; William C. P 
Breckinridge, of Lexington, a prominent lawyer, nephew of John C. Breck 
inridge; James B. McCreary, of Richmond, Governor of Kentucky 1875-9 
William Henry Wadsvorth, of Mays ville, former United States commissione 
on claims against Mexico, who will be succeeded by George M. Thomas, o 
Owingsville ; William Preston Taulbee, of Saylersville, one of the younges 
men of the House; Frank L. Woodford, of Columbia, adjutant-general o 
Kentucky, who will be succeeded by H. F. Finley, of \V illiamsburg. 

The ladies of the delegation present some of the most prominent figures ii 
official social life. Mrs. Carlisle, one of the leaders of society, is the wife c 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Forty-eighth and Forty 
ninth Congresses. Mrs. McCreary, who was Miss Kate Hughes, born nea 
Lexington, Kentucky, a member of one of the oldest and most prominen 
families of the State, was not only an agreeable member of the southern circl 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. l6l 

of ladies, but her guests, Miss Coralie Walker, of Richmond, Kentucky, a 
beautiful and accomplished lady, and Miss Fannie Lyon, of Louisville, Ken 
tucky, very handsome, added to the social attractions of the Representative s 
household. Mrs. Breckenridge, who was Miss DeShay, Mrs. Willis, Mrs. 
Wadsworth, and daughter, and Mrs. Taulbee, filled out this group of beauti 
ful daughters of Kentucky. 

The State of West Virginia contributes lour Representatives to the roll of 
the House, who take a prominent part in its social life. Nathan Groff, jr., of 
Clarksburg, is well known as United States attorney for his State, and Secre 
tary of the Navy at the close of the Hayes administration; William L. Wil 
son, of Charlestown, was president of the West Virginia University; Charles 
Philip Snyder, of Charlestown, was former prosecuting attorney, and Eus 
tace Gibson, of Huntingdon, Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1880, who 
will be succeeded by Charles E. Hogg, of Point Pleasant. 

The ladies ot the delegation present during the season were Mrs. Goff and 
Mrs. Gibson, both young and attractive. 

Entitled to seats upon the floor with the privilege of speaking upon meas 
ures relating to their own constituencies, but without the right to vote, are 
eight Territorial Delegates, representing ne;rly a million square miles of pub 
lic domain, and about a half million of people. Those who occupy this 
quasi-representative character, are gentlemen of experience, but are not enti 
tled to the official or social prerogatives of Representatives. In the general 
order of precedence, they would naturally bear the relation to a statutory offi 
cial thaT*an assistant does to the chief of an executive department. 

In the list are Curtis C. Bean, of Prescott, Arizona, a native of New Hamp 
shire, legislator in Tennessee and Arizona, who will be succeeded by Marcus 
A. Smith, of Tombstone ; Oscar Sherman Gifford, of Canton, Dakota, a na 
tive of New York, and member of the Constitutional Convention of the Terri 
tory, 1883; John Hailey, of Boise City, Idaho, a native of Tennessee, far 
mer, and miner, who settledthere a year before the territory was constituted, 
who will be succeeded by Fred. S. Dubois, of Blackfoot ; Joseph Kemp 
Toole, of Helena, Montana, a Missourian, judge, legislator, president of 
council, and member of the Constitutional Convention of the Territory; Anto 
nio Joseph, of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, native of the Territory, merchant, 
judge, and legislator ; John T. Caine, of Salt Lake City, Utah, a native of the 
Isle of Man, England, who crossed the plains in 1852, was editor of the Salt 
Lake Herald, and member of the Convention for the admission of the Terri 
tory as a State ; Charles Stewart Voorhees, of Colfax, Washington, son of 
United States Senator Voorhees of Indiana, county prosecuting attorney 1882; 
II 



l62 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and Joseph M. Carey, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, a native of Delaware, asso 
ciate justice of the Supreme Court, and three times mayor of Cheyenne. 

The ladies also formed an interesting group. Among them Mrs. Bean and 
three daughters, Mrs. Gifford, Mrs. Joseph, Mrs. Caine, and Mrs. Carey. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 
THE ARMY ix SOCIETY. 

AN EPITOME OF M \RTIAL VALOR AND FASHION THE LIEUTENANT GEN 
ERAL AND HIS MILITARY FAMILY THEIR LADIES THE OFFICERS OF THE 
STAFF DEPARTMENTS AND LADIES THE GARRISON OF WASIHNGTON AND 
ITS SOCIAL LIFE. 

(TENDER the provisions of the Constitution of the United States, the Presi- 
cjlixj dent is Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. 
-&lt;5o The standing military establishment is, therefore, a constitutional part 
of the Executive Department of the government. 

The army circle at the seat of government embraces the Commanding Gen 
eral and his military family, the officers of the staff departments on duty at the 
War Office, the officers of the garrison of the capital, retired officers and fami 
lies of officers who make their residence at Washington. With their ladies 
they constitute a brilliant feature on ceremonial or social occasions. In all 
state pageants, as inaugurations, the army is a conspicuous object in the dis 
play. The President during the gay season recognizes its high importance by 
giving a s .ate reception in its honor with the Navy. This occasion ranks with 
the receptions to the Diplomatic Corps as the most attractive in the social 
events of the Executive Mansion. Generals in the gorgeous trappings of 
military command; staff officers in the uniform of their rank and duty; officers 
of foot, horse and artillery with their white, yellow and red-plumed helmets 
and heavy accoutrements form a brilliant contrast with the somber attire of 
statesmen, savants and citizens, and harmonize in the splendor of contrasting 
colors with the elegant toilettes of the ladies. The general of the army in the 
scale of dignities would rank naturally after the constitutional officers, but in 
an arrangement of the three grand divisions of the government would form 
part of the suite of the President, taking rank next after a member of the 
cabinet, the theory of the Constitution placing the civil above the military. The 
Secretay of War, however, is purely an administrative officer. The General 
executes his orders simply as the representative of the President, by whose 
direction as Commander-in-Chief all orders are given and military operations 
are conducted. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. , 163 

One of the most interesting figures in the social life at the capital is the Lieu 
tenant General. With Grant and Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan completes the 
triumvirate of American soldiers who, beginning at the humblest grade, 
marched forward, the glory of their country, to the place of supreme com 
mand. Grant has joined the bivouac of the dead upon the fields of eternal 
glory. The stern old warrior, Sherman, in retirement, awaits the last roll- 
call, a grand reminiscence of many of the noblest achievements of the bitter 
struggle. Sheridan, on the shady side of a half century, begins to show the 
wear of camp and battle. His sobriquet among his devoted soldiers, " Little 
Phil," indicates the under average of his stature, as the great Napoleon for 
the same reason was called the " Little Corporal." The American hero has 
the look of grim-visaged war. The mus:ularity and depth of expression 
which rests upon his features is the index to his character as a man or a sol 
dier. Whether fighting redskins in the valley of the Columbia in the fifties, 
or, ten years later, crowning war with victory at Appomattox, we find him 
always the invincible leader. 

When the Second Michigan Cavalry, in the spring of 1862, in search of a 
commander, had the "little" captain of the Thirteenth Infantry sent them, 
there was much the feeling which existed among the French generals towards 
the Little Corporal " when he appeared to take command of the army of 
Italy. His maiden fight at Booneville, Miss., five weeks later, with his Mich 
igan troopers and a few regiments against a vastly superior force of the enemy, 
made Sheridan a brigadier, and Murfreesboro, same year, a major general of 
volunteers. His defeat of Early, at Opequan, and Fisher s Hill, in the fall of 
1864. made him a brigadier, and his third defeat of Early, a few weeks later, 
a major general of regulars. When Grant became President, and Sherman 
was advanced to general, Sheridan followed in the line. When Sherman 
passes away, so disappears the rank of General. So with Sheridan. When 
he crosses the pontoon of death, so too dies the rank of Lieutenant General 
to await resurrection as a crowning reward of the hero of some future conflict 
of arms. It was one of the disappointments of Sheridan s leadership of an 
army that the French support of the unfortunate Maximilian in Mexico was 
so summarily withdrawn. With his trained batallions in serried ranks faced 
on the Rio Grande, he awaited but the word of his President to lead forward 
to Mexico, and plant the flags of the two Republics upon the battlements of 
Chapultepec in place of the standard of the French Empire. The humility of 
his origin, and the preeminence of his fame demonstrate the grandeur of the 
martial genius of Sheridan. When his conquering sword fell upon the ranks 
of the enemy, the grateful people looked in vain for antecedent deeds of war. 
Whether born upon the soil of Erin, or upon the high seas, was long a mys- 



1 64 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

tery, until, by his own authority, he claimed America as the land of his na 
tivity. 

At his home, or his headquarters, Sheridan is most gentle and courtly in 
his manners, but bluff and honest, and convincing in conversation. With his 
officers he is composed and retiring. His word is command. In battle he 
was a host. His presence oft turned the tide of war, and restored confidence 
and determination to the shattered ranks of wavering battalions. In social 
life he is nervous, restless, often agitated and always ill at ease, as if the 
paths of peace were irksome. He blushes in the presence of ladies like a 
maiden in her teens, such is his inner life of diffidence and retiring worth. 

The Lieutenant General lives in a style commensurate with his high rank 
in a fashionable part of the city. His house, presided over by his beautiful 
and fascinating wife, formerly Irene Rucker, daughter of General Rucker, at 
one time Quartermaster General of the Army, is open to society during the 
season, and is the center of attraction of the most fashionable society people of 
the capital. Mrs. Sheridan, who is petite, and very pretty, is very popular. 
She is a much sought guest in the most prominent social events, and is the 
leading spirit of charitable enterprises under the patronage of society ladies. 

In the military family of the Lieutenant General, Lieutenant Colonel Mi 
chael V. Sheridan fills the place of Military Secretary. He began his martial 
career as a volunteer aide when his distinguished brother won his first " star " 
at Booneville, and won for himself his first commission. As a second lieuten 
ant of Missouri volunteers, he displayed his bravery as a soldier in the battles 
of Chickmaugua, Chattanooga, and Missionary Ridge. The battles of the 
Wilderness and the Valley of the Shenandoah found him serving on the staff 
of his brother. He has since been his aid-de-camp and companion. Mrs. 
Sheridan was Mary Rhey, of Carlisle, whose father, John S. Rhey, a lawyer 
of prominence, was once Speaker of the House of Representatives of Penn 
sylvania. Her mother was sister to General Robert Macfeely, Commissary 
General of the army. 

Lieutenant Colonel Sanford C. Kellogg, aide-de-camp, captain Fifth U. S. 
Cavalry, a nephew of Mrs. General George H. Thomas, entered the service 
as a private in the Thirty-seventh regiment New York National Guards. He 
afterwards served on the staff of General Thomas, and repeatedly distinguished 
himself in the celebrated battles of that great commander. Since the war he 
has been equally distinguished for service on the frontier. Mrs. Kellogg, a 
very attractive member of society, was Mirs Steele, of Louisville, Kentucky. 
Several of Mrs. Kellogg s nieces have visited her since she came to Washing 
ton, including the Misses Pettit and Tillman, of Louisville, Kentucky, who 
were among the belles of the season. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 165 

Lieutenant Colonel Stanhope E. Blunt, aide-de-camp, captain ordnance de 
partment, completes the military family at headquarters. He is a son of CoL 
Charles E. Blunt, corps of engineers, U.-S. A., and grandson of Major Thorn, 
as S. English, United States marine corps. He entered the military acade 
my in 1868, and graduated four years later, number three in his class. He 
served at Fort Douglass, Utah, afterwards as engineer in military reconnois- 
sances on the frontier, and later as instructor of mathematics, ordnance and 
gunnery at West Point. As chief ordnance officer and instructor of rifle prac 
tice on the frontier, he had charge of competition for places on the rifle team 
of the division of the Missouri, and for several of the annual competitions of 
the department of Dakota. By order of the Secretary of War he prepared 
and published a work on "rifle and carbine firing," which is standard au 
thority on that subject. The wife of Colonel Blunt was Fanny Smythe, one 
of the handsomest young ladies of Oswego, New York. Her father was 
Charles Smythe, one of the foremost citizens of that thriving lake port of the 
Empire State. Miss Smythe, of Oswego, her sister, was her guest during 
the season, and was a great favorite. 

In fashionable life at the seat of government the officers of the staff depart 
ments of the army figure prominently. As a rule they are men of diitin- 
guished service and polite accomplishments. Their ladies are also among the 
most popular and attractive in higher circles. 

The first on the list in the precedence of rank in the arrangement of the 
staff is the adjutant-general of the army. This office is filled by Brigadier- 
General Richard C. Drum, a native of Pennsylvania. He entered the service 
when a mere boy, enlisting in the Pennsylvania volunteers for Mexico. Hav 
ing repeatedly distinguished himself, before the close of that war he was 
advanced to lieutenant of infantry and then into the artillery. At the out 
break of the rebellion he entered the adjutant general s department. He re 
ceived brevets for bravery in Mexico, in the Sioux campaigns on the frontiers 
and in the late war. He is one of the most soldierly and best informed men 
in the army on military matters. 

Mrs. Drum was Levinia Morgan, daughter of Judge Thomas Gibbs Mor 
gan. The Morgans were one of the historic families of Louisiana. Mrs. 
Susan Drum Tarr, the general s eldest daughter, is the widow of a lawyer of 
Westmoreland county, Pensylvania. The younger daughter, Henrietta Mar 
garet Drum, now Mrs. Hunt, is the widow of Lieutenant Hunt, United 
States navy. 

General John C. Kelton, of Pennsylvania, graduate of the United States 
military academy, 1851, is an officer of distinguished service, having been 
brevetted from lieutenant to brigadier general for duties in the field and at 
headquarters. 



166 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Mrs. Kelton, a beautiful lady of many social gifts, was Josephine Camp 
bell, daughter of William S. Campbell, for twenty years consul of the United 
States at Amsterdam, Holland, where she was born, and Dresden, Germany, 
where she was married. 

Colonel Oliver D. Greene, a native of New York, entered the army from 
the military academy, 1854, and was breveted for gallantry in the first battle 
of Bull Run, Virginia, and at the battle of Antietam. Mrs. Greene is one 
of the favorites in society. She was Kate Rich, daughter of Colonel Hiram 
Rich, of Fort Leavenworth, one of the early pioneeers and cotemporary and 
friend of Generals Atchison, Stirling Price, Doniphan, and Hugh and 
Robert Campbell. Her daughter, Mamie, is the wife of Lieutenant Charles 
H. Bonesteel, 2ist infantry, and daughter Kate is wife of Lieutenant Francis 
J. Kernan, of the same regiment. One of Mrs. Greene s brothers, Lucius 
L. Rich, was a classmate of General Greene at the military academy, went 
South in the war and fell mortally wounded at Shiloh. 

Colonel Henry C. Wood, of Maine, after service on the frontiers, distin 
guished himself in the early campaigns of the war and was assigned to staff 
duty. Mrs. Wood was Mary A. Ferguson, of Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. 

Major Thomas Ward, of New York, a graduate of 1863, was breveted for 
gallant services at the battle of Cold Harbor. Mrs. Ward was Miss Kate 
Mott, of Oswego, New York, daughter of Thomas Mott, bank president and 
leading Republican politician and friend of President Arthur. 

Major Theodore Schwan, born in Germany, rose from the ranks and dis 
tinguished himself in the line, in command of a company in the battles of the 
Wilderness to Cold Harbor, and in leading a regiment in action at Chapel 
House, Virginia. Mrs. Schwan is a daughter of the late Dr. John Steele, of 
St. Paul, of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, family of that name. Her aunt was, 
the wife of General H. H. Sibley, Territorial Governor of Minnesota. Her 
uncle, Frank Steele, post trader at Fort Snelling in the early days, was well 
known in Washington social life. Among her guests was her sister, Miss 
Clara Steele, one of the most popular ladies of Saint Paul. 

Captain Daniel M. Taylor, of the Ordnance Department, a brother of the 
late captain Franck Taylor, U. S. Artillery, on special duty in the Adjutant 
General s office with the Secretary of War, is a scholarly officer, and one of 
the courtly men of the army. Mrs. Taylor was Miss Anne Gardner, daugh 
ter of John H. Gardner, of Sharon Springs, New York. Mrs. Franck Tay 
lor, Captain Taylor s mother, widow of one of the early booksellers, and citizen 
of Washington, was very popular in the society of the old regime. She was 
Miss Virginia Simms a ward of her uncle, Richard Wallach, and niece of 
Douglas W r allack, an early owner of the Evening Star, of Washington. 



THE ARMY IX SOCIETY. 167 

General Absalom Baird, Inspector General, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
graduate of the class of 1849, at the military academy, was notably distinguish 
ed in the campaigns against Atlanta, and Savannah. He is one of the most 
agreeable officers in the army. He is a widower. His son William Baird is 
adjutant of the Sixth Cavalry. 

Major Henry Farnsworth, of New York, distinguished in Sheridan s cam 
paign in the Shenandoah Valley, is one of the active officers in military or 
social affairs. 

Colonel Guido Norman Lieber, Acting Judge Advocate General, a native of 
South Carolina, appointed from New York into the infantry, served with dis 
tinction in the Peninsula campaign in Virginia, and later in the department of 
the gulf. Mrs. Lieber, a very attractive woman, and much admired for her 
affability and kindliness of disposition, is a daughter of Colonel E. B. Alexan 
der, a retired officer of the army. 

Major John W. Clous, a native of Germany, raised from the ranks for gal 
lantry in 1862, was brevettedfor services in the battle of Gettysburg, and was 
made Judge Advocate in 1886. Mrs. Clous was Miss Caroline Strickle, sister 
of the wife of D. W. Bickham, of the Dayton, (Ohio,) Journal. Her father 
was captain and commissary on General Sherman s staff. Mrs. Foos was her 
guest during the season. 

Brigadier General Samuel B. Holibard, Quartermaster General, who is a 
widower, entered the service from Connecticut, in the military academy class 
of 1849. In the rebellion he served as corps and department quartermaster, 
and was frequently brevetted. He is the translator of General Jomini s 
"Treatise on Grand Military Operations." Miss Agnes Holibard, the gen 
eral s accomplished daughter, is a great favorite in society. Mrs. BartleU, the 
general s deceased wife s sister, presides over his household. 

Colonel John G. Chandler, of Massachusetts, who entered the army from 
the class of 1853, was division, corps and department quartermaster during 
the rebellion, and was in the battle of Shiloh, and other inr.portant engage 
ments. 

Colonel Charles G. Sawtelle, of Massachusetts, of the class of 1854, bre 
vetted for meritorious services, has held the post of chief quartermaster. Mrs. 
Sawtelle was Miss Monroe, of New York. Her father was a prominent 
broker, member of the firm of Le Grand Lockwood. 

Col. Richard N. Bachelder, Depot Quartermaster, a bachelor, entered the 
volunteer service, 1861, as quartermaster of the First New Hampshire Infan 
try. He was brevetted up to a brigadier general for service in all the great 
campaigns of the army of the Potomac, and was chief quartermaster of that 
army during the fierce battles against Richmond and Petersburg. He was 



1 68 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

made captain in the same department United States Army, as a reward for 
distinguished services. 

Colonel Benjamin C. Card, of Rhode Island, of the infantry, in 1861, was 
assistant chief quartermaster of the army of the Potomac, and was brevetted 
brigadier general for meritorious services. 

Mrs. Card, a lady of very pleasant manners, was Miss Hunter, sister of 
the wife of General J. A. Hardee, who was on duty with Secretary of War 
Stanton. She is also a sister of Mrs Colonel Rockwell, superintendent of 
public buildings and grounds, under Presidents Garfield and Arthur. Miss 
Edith Card and her sister, are beautiful young ladies, and very much liked in 
society. 

Major William B. Hughes entered from the military academy in 1856 and 
served through the early part of the war with distinction in the infantry, and 
entered the quartermaster s department in 1863. Mrs. Hughes was Miss 
Jones, a niece of Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont. Miss Hughes, her charming 
daughter, will make her entrance into society the coming season. Mrs. Jones, 
Mrs. Hughes mother, is also a member of Major Hughes family. 

Captain Charles H. Hoyt, in charge of the supply division first lieutenant 
Thirty-seventh New York Infantry in 1861, of -which he was the first quarter 
master, was chief quartermaster of Hancock s division in the campaigns of the 
army of the Potomac, 1862 to 1864, and entered the regular service as captain 
and quartermaster in 1867. Mrs. Hoyt, a very pleasant lady in society, is 
from Michigan. 

Captain John F. Rodger s is brother of admiral C. R. P. Rodgers, U. S. Navy. 
Mrs. Rodgers, who is very attractive in society, belongs to the distinguished 
Speed family of Louisville, Kentucky, and is a grand daughter of one of 
Abraham Lincoln s early friends and companions in Illinois. 

Brigadier General Robert Macfeeley, Commissary General of Subsistence, 
is one of the officers of the old army, having had the experience of frontier 
service, and was on active duty in his staff department, throughout the entire 
war of the Rebellion. He is a native of Carlisle, son of Colonel George 
McFee!ey, as the name was originally spelled, of the Regulars, who upon the 
outbreak of the war, 1812, marched his regiment from Carlisle barracks across 
Pennsylvania and New York, to Black Rock, now the city of Buffalo, and was 
in command of Fort Niagara when bombarded by the British, November 12, 
1812. General Macfeeley was one of the old army friends of President Grant, 
and always welcome at the White House. Mrs. Macfeeley was Josephine 
Rochester Beatty, daughter of James Beatty, of Williamsport, Maryland, and 
niece of Eli Beatty, at one time president of the Hagerstown Bank. The 
family was one of historic importance in the Cumberland Valleys of Pennsyl 
vania and Maryland. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 169 

Colonel Beekman DuBarry, a native of New Jersey, is one of the class of 
49 at West Point. He entered the artillery, but was transferred to the staff, 
where he has since remained. He is the son of an early surgeon of the navy 
and brother of Joseph N. DuBarry, vice-president of the Pennsylvania Rail 
road Company. He is a grandson of Wiiliam Duane, editor of the old Phila 
delphia "Aurora," adjutant general U. S. A. in the war of 1812, whose 
son, W. J. Duane, was Secretary of the Treasury in the Jackson cabinet. 
Because he would not remove the deposits, "Old Hickory" removed him. 
Mrs. DuBarry was Helen A. Bratt, of Albany, daughter of an officer of the 
army. Her father, who was of the class of 1837, was classmate of Braxton 
Bragg, of Mexican, Adjutant General Townsend and General Joseph Hooker, 
of Union, and Jubal Early, of Confederate fame. Her daughter, Helen, is 
in her teens. 

Major Jeremiah H. Gilman, a native of Maine, and a graduate of West 
Point 1856, served with exceptional distinction on the frontier during the late 
war. He was second in command with Lieutenant Slemmer in the defense of 
Fort Pickens, Florida, January to May, 1861, against the insurgents, after 
Fort Barrancas and the navy-yard had been seized. Mrs. Gilman, who was 
Catherine Rogers, of Gardner, Maine, was in the garrison at Fort Barrancas 
at the time of the rebel attack. When Lieutenant Slemmer and Gilman with 
drew from Fort Barrancas, with their small detachment, to avoid capture, and 
occupied Fort Pickens, Mrs. Slemmer and Mrs. Gilman took refuge on board 
the United States Ship Supply, which shortly after sailed for New York to 
escape capture. Major Gilman has two sons, Lieutenant H. K. Gilman, U. 
S. marines, and Lieutenant E. R. Gilman, 5th U. S. Infantry. Miss Kate 
Gilman is yet in her teens. Miss Seyburn, who spent the season in Wash 
ington, is a daughter of Captain T. D. Seyburn, of the volunteer navy, now 
a planter, and niece of Mrs. Gilman. 

Captain Wells Willard, depot commissary, who entered the service in the 
Massachusetts volunteers, and Mrs. Willard, a lady of fine literary gifts, are 
also interesting members of the army circle. 

Brigadier General John Moore, of Indiana Surgeon General, became assist 
ant surgeon in 1853. ^ n ^ e war ^ ^ ie Rebellion he served as medical di 
rector, and was twice brevetted for distinguished services. Mrs. Moore was 
Mary Green, of Boston, a very agreeable lady in society. In the season she 
is assisted by her daughter, Mrs. Thompson, wife of Captain W. A. Thomp 
son, Sixth cavalry. 

Colonel Jedediah H. Baxter, of Vermont, chief medical purveyor, entered 
the volunteer service 1861, as surgeon of the Twelfth Massachusetts Infantry. 
He was brevetted for meritorious services, and was appointed lieutenant colo- 



1 70 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

nel, assistant medical purveyor 1867, and chief in 1874. Mrs Baxter was Flor 
ence Tryon, a descendant of the royal Governor of New York, and later col 
onial governor of North Carolina, who disowned his son for his patriotic ser 
vices on the side of the colonists against the mother country. 

Major Charles C. Byrne, of Maryland, attending surgeon of the Soldiers 
Home, in charge of the field and general hospitals during the late war, and 
Mrs. Byrne, who is from New York, are very agreeable members of the army 
circle in society. 

Major Charles R. Greenleaf, assistant surgeon Fifth Ohio infantry, 1861, 
was specially distinguished in preparing plans for military hospitals during the 
Rebellion. He is a relative of the poet Longfellow. Mrs. Greenleaf was 
Georgiana De la Roche, daughter of Captain George F. De la Roche, of the 
old navy, and subsequently landscape architect of Oak Hill Cemetery, West 
Washington. A sister of Mrs. Greenleaf is wife of Major Francis If. Bates, 
U. S. army, retired. Another sister is wife of Captain William B. Johns, 
formerly of the army. Miss Edith Greenleaf, a very interesting young lady 
will enter society next season. 

Major John S. Billings, of Indiana, operating surgeon at the field hospitals 
of Chancellorville and Gettysburg, was acting medical inspector of the army 
of the Potomac during the campaigns against Richmond. Mrs. Billings was 
Kate Stevens, daughter of Representative Stevens, from Michigan. Her 
three daughters, two of them twins, are very pretty and very entertaining in 
society. A son, John S. Billings, Jr., is at college. 

Major Charles Stuart, assistant surgeon Sixty-third New York infantry, 
1862, entered the medical department in 1864. Mrs. Stuart is from New York, 
prominently connected, and very interesting. 

Major Robert M. O Reilly, of Pennsylvania, attending surgeon, was medi 
cal cadet under the medical director of the army of the Cumberland in the 
Atlanta campaign. Mrs. O Reilly was Fanny Pardee, of Oswego, New York. 

Captain Washington Matthews, who entered the medical staff of the army 
in 1868, is one of the scientists at the medical museum Mrs Matthews is 
very attractive in society. 

Captain Philip F. Harvey, assistant to the attending surgeon, and Mrs. 
Harvey, are very popular in their social relations. 

Captain Frederick C. Ainsworth, of Vermont, is in charge of the record and 
pension division of the Surgeon General s office, with a force of three hundred 
clerks. Mrs. Ainsworth was originally Miss Bacon, of Washington, the 
widow of Lieutenant Cranston, killed during the Modoc war. She is one of 
-three very handsome sisters, the other two being Mrs. Colonel Martin, of the 
army, and Mrs. Colonel Haywood, of the marine corps. On account of 
their beauty they were kno^n in the army as the three graces. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. iyi 

Captain John O. Skinner, of Maryland, the disbursing officer of the Sur 
geon General s office, who entered the medical service in 1874, a "d Mrs. 
Skinner are very entertaining in social intercourse. 

Brigadier General William B. Rochester, of New York, paymaster gen 
eral, became attached to the staff as additional paymaster in 1861, and pay 
master in 1867. Mrs. Rochester was Miss Anna L. Martin, eldest daughter 
of Mr. H. H. Martin, a prominent citizen of Albany, New York. She is the 
niece of Generals Franklin Townsend and Frederick Townsend, of Albany, 
New York, the latter of whom was adjutant general of the State of New York, 
under Governor E. D. Morgan, and organized the first troops sent to the 
war. Also the niece of Colonel \Vm. H. T. Walker, formerly of the U. S. 
army Mrs. Rochester has two daughters, Miss Annie T. and Miss Alice 
D. Rochester, the latter in her teens. 

Major Israel O. Dewey, of Vermont, who entered the staff in 1867 and, Mrs 
Dewey and Miss Dewey are very popular members of the army social life. 

Major William F. Tucker, of Illinois, postmaster, was appointed to the staff 
in 1882. Mrs. Tucker was Mary Logan, the only daughter of the distin 
guished soldier and statesmen, John A. Logan. Mrs. John A. Logan the 
mother of Mrs. Tucker, is known throughout the country, not only as one of 
most brilliant leaders of the higher social life of the capital, but one of the 
most admired of women throughout the country. 

The corps of United States Engineers is the professional branch of the mil- 
tary service, and its list of officers is made up as a rule, of the highest gradu 
ates of the military academy. 

Brigadier General James C. Duane, a native of New York, in charge of 
the engineer department, while in command of the engineer battalion perform 
ed service in the operations against Ricnmond, for which he was brevetted. 
Mrs. Duana who was not in Washington during the season, is a daughter of 
Colonel Henry Brewerton, U. S. Engineers. 

General John G. Parke, a native of Pennsylvania, and graduate of the mil 
itary academy, class of 1849, after a career of distinction in command, and on 
the staff, led the Ninth corps in the final campaign against Richmond, cul 
minating in the surrender of the Confederate forces. Mrs. Parke, a lady of 
charming manners, and fine presence, was the widow of Captain Palmer, of 
the engineers. Miss Emily Parke, a beautiful blond, tall and graceful, is a 
great favorite in the best circles. 

Colonel John M. Wilson, Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, 
one of the finest officers in the corps, also performs the ceremonial duty of 
.presentation during the levees at the Executive Mansion. He is therefore 
included in the official family of the President. Mrs. Wilson, a most estima- 



172 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ble and popular lady, was Augusta B. Waller, of Washington, daughter of an 
officer in the General Post Office. Her gifted daughter will enter society in 
another year. Miss Waller, Mrs. Wilson s sister, is also one of the favorites 
in society, and has been a guest among the ladies at Mrs. Cleveland s lunch 
eons. 

Colonel Peter C. Hains, engineer in charge of river and harbor improve 
ments in front of Washington, a native of Pennsylvania, entered the artillery 
from W T est Point, but was transferred to the engineers, and performed distin 
guished services in the defense of Washington, 1861, in the campaigns in 
Virginia and on the Mississippi, and later as chief engineer of the department 
of the Gulf. Mrs. Hains is one of the accomplished daughters of Rear Ad 
miral Thornton A. Jenkins. 

Major Garrett J. Lydecker, in charge of the Washington aqueduct, and 
previously engineer commissioner of the District of Columbia, a native of 
New Jersey, entered the corps from the military academy in 1864, and was 
brevetted the year after for meritorious service at the closing siege of Peters 
burg, Virginia. Mrs. Lydecker was Miss Hommedieu, of Detroit, a de 
scendant of one of the early Canadian settlers. Her sister is the wife of 
Professor James Mercur, instructor of engineering at West Point. 

Major David P. Heap, engineer secretary to the light house board, who 
was born in Asia, entered the engineers from West Point as an appointment 
from Pennsylvania. He served with the engineer battalion in the Richmond 
campaign and siege of Petersburg, receiving a brevet for services. Mrs. 
Heap was Miss Beak, daughter of George N. Beale, of Washington. 

Major William Ludlow, of Nev/ York, Engineer Commissioner of the Dis 
trict of Columbia, who entered the corps from the military academy in 1864, 
was brevetted for services in the defense of Altoona Pass and seige of Atlan 
ta, and was assistant engineer with General Sherman s army on the march 
to the sea. Mrs. Ludlow, a very attractive lady, is a relative of Mrs. Gen 
eral Hancock. She resided in St. Louis as a young lady. Her pretty daugh 
ter is in her teens. 

Major Charles W. Raymond, a son of Professor Raymond, of Brooklyn, 
New York, formerly connected with the Polytecnic Institute, entered the 
corps from the military academy in 1865. In 1863, however, he was acting 
aid to General Couch, in Pennsylvania. He is a brother of R. W. Raymond, 
a scientist, and engineer of distinction. Mrs. Raymond is a daughter of Wil 
liam Wise, at one time a merchant of Brooklyn, New York. 

Major James C. Post, a graduate of 1865, who has been in charge of im 
provement of Rivers and Harbors, is a recent acquisition to the army circle 
at Washington. He is a bachelor. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 173 

Major Henry M. Adams, who is on duty in the office of the Secretary of 
War, entered the corps from the cla^s of 1856, and since has been on river 
and harbor duty. Mrs. Adams, a very agreeable lady, is a sister of Captain 
Edward Maguire, of the engineers. 

Captain George Montague Wheeler, who is on special duty with the geo 
graphical survey, was appointed the first cadet from the territory of Colorado 
in 1862, and entered the corps in 1866. He has been conspicuously identified 
with explorations on the frontiers, and is a member of numerous native and 
foreign scientific societies. Mrs. Wheeler was Miss Jimmie Blair, of the 
celebrated Washington family of Francis Blair, and is a daughter of James 
Blair, U. S. N. 

Captain Thomas Turtle, who entered the corps from the academy in 1867, 
is one of its most efficient officers. His survey of the battle-field of Getts- 
burg is regarded as a very superior piece of engineering and artistic work. Mrs 
Turtle was Virginia Lewis, daughter of the late Martin Lewis, a broker of 
Baltimore. He was a native of Copenhagan, and came to the United States 
as a young man. Miss Hilda Lewis, Mrs. Turtle s sister, is a very genial lady 

Captain Thomas W. Symor.s, Assistant to the Engineer Commissioner of 
the District of Columbia, entered the Engineers from the academy in 1874. 
He served with distinction in the Wheeler exploring expedition. Mrs. Sy- 
mons, a lady of fine social traits, is from Pennsylvania. 

Captain Eugene Griffin, Assistant to the Engineer Commissioner of the 
District of Columbia, a native of Maine, graduated in 1875, into the corps, 
and rendered valuable service in exploring expeditions. Mrs. Griffin, who 
was Alice Hancock, is a niece of General Hancock. A sister is the wife of 
Lieutenant Luther R. Hare, adjutant Seventh Cavalry. Another sister is 
wife of Mr. Merriam, of St. Paul, a politician of wealth and influence. The 
other ladies of tliio family circle are Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Griffin s 
mother, and Miss Hancock her daughter. 

First Lieutenant Curtis McD. Townsend, on duty on the Washington 
aqueduct, entered the corps from the military academy in 1879. He is very 
popular in society. 

Brigadier General Stephen V. Bene"t, Chief of Ordnance, entered the ord 
nance department from the military academy in 1849, and was on duty and in 
charge of various arsenals when raised to the command of his corps. He is 
one of the highest authorities on ordnance, and in personal intercourse is a 
man of courtly manners. Mrs. Benet was Laura Walker, daughter of a 
prominent planter of Kentucky, and one of the pioneer families. She is 
among the leading ladies in tha society of the capital. Her son, Lieutenant 
James Walker Benet, is in the ordnance department, and Lawrence Bendt is 
connected with the great gunmakers, Hotchkiss & Co., of Paris. 



174 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Captain Clarence E. Dutton, on special duty in the Geological Survey, is an 
authority on earthquakes and volcanoes. He was appointed into the corps 
from the Twenty-first Connecticut volunteers, after distinguished service with 
his regiment in the army of the Potomac. Mrs. Dutton is from Connecticut. 
Miss Dutton recently married a New York gentleman. 

Captain Charles S. Smith, principal assistant to the chief of ordnance, a 
graduate of the class of 1866, a bachelor, is in great demand in society. 

Captain Rogers Birnie, Jr , of Maryland, entered the ordnance service in 
the academy chss of 1872, and has had extensive foundry duty. Mrs. Birnie 
is first cousin of Mrs. Blunt, wife of Colonel Blunt, aide to Lieutenant Gen 
eral Sheridan. 

Captain Valentine McNally, a native of Scotland, is thoroughly skilled in 
the administrative branch cf the ordnance service. Mrs. McNally was Cathe 
rine Elliott, daughter of the late Dr. Johnson Elliott, a prominent surgeon of 
Washington. She is a cousin of President Elliott of Harvard College, and is 
connected with the family of President John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, 
and the Johnsons of Maryland. 

Brigadier General Adolphus W. Greeley, chief signal officer, began his mili 
tary service as private, corporal, and sergeant in the Nineteenth Massachusetts 
volunteers, and was one of the forlorn hope in the attack on Fredericksburg. 
He entered the U. S. infantry as lieutenant in 1863, and was captain of Fifth 
cavalry when raised to the post of chief signal officer. The latter honor was 
in reward for distinguished scientific services in conducting arctic researches. 
His miraculous rescue was one of the most thrilling events of the times. 
Mrs Greeley was Henrietta Nesmith, cousin of ex-U. S. Senator James Ne- 
smith, of Oregon. She was born in Switzerland while her parents were abroad. 
On her mother s side she is descended from the Gales and Rutgers, celebra 
ted in colonial days in New York. She is a tall, graceful brunette and most 
cordial in social intercourse. 

Captain Francis B. Jones, of the quartermaster s department, on duty with 
the signal corps, entered the volunteer service in the One Hundred and For 
ty-ninth, rose to lieutenant colonel of the Two Hundred and Fifteenth Penn 
sylvania infantry, and went into the regular service in the Nineteenth infantry, 
and into the quartermasters s department in 1885. Mrs. Jones is a sister of 
the wife of Colonel Charles E. Compton, Fifth cavalry. Mrs. Jones mother, 
Mrs. Little, was with her during the season. 

Lieutenant Henry H. C. Dunwoody, Fourth artillery, entered that regiment 
from the military acadamy in 1866, and has been indentified with the signal 
corps among its earliest officers. He is also one of the best authorities on 
meteorological subjects. Mrs. Dunwoody, a very attractive woman, is a 
daughter of the late Surgeon Mills, of the army. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 175 

Lieutenant Richard E. Thompson, Sixth infantry, entered the service from 
the academy in 1868. Mrs. Thompson is a daughter of ex-United States 
Senator Rice and niece of Edward Rice, of Saint Paul, Representative in the 
Fiftieth Congress. 

Lieutenant Robert Craig, who entered the Fourth Artillery from the mili 
tary academy, is one of the oldest and most experienced officers in the signal 
corps, and was largely identified with its present organization. He is an offi 
cer of fine social traits, and is descended from General Craig of the Revolu 
tion. Mrs. Craig, a daughter of David Mahon, for many years one of the 
auditors of the treasury, belongs to one of the oldest and most distinguished 
families in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. She is very beautiful 
and well known, and popular in society. 

Lieutenant Thomas M. Woodruff, Fifth Infantry, entered the service with 
the class of 1871. He is well known in social and business circles, being the 
owner of considerable property in the fashionable West End. The ladies of 
his family, Mrs. Woodruff, Mrs. Sampson, her mother, and Miss Sampson, 
her sister, are very agreeable and entertaining. 

The Second Lieutenants of the corps, each of whom served a course of in- 
instruction in the ranks, and their ladies, during the season were James A. 
Swift, Mrs. and Miss Swift ; William D.Wright, Mrs. Wright, and Mrs. Jack 
son ; Frank Greene, and Mrs. Greene, who is from Washington Territory; John 
C. Walsh, a very soldierly officer, Mrs. Walsh, and Miss Murphy; Fielder 
M. M. Beall, and Mrs. Beall; John P. Finley, Mrs. Finley, a niece of Gen 
eral Berdan of sharpshooter s fame, and Miss Meloy ; Frederick R. Day; 
James Mitchell, and Mrs. Mitchell, and Frank W. Ellis, and Mrs. Ellis. 

Among the officers on special duty are Colonel Elwell S. Otis, Twentieth 
Infantry, who entered the volunteers as captain, One Hundred and Fortieth 
New York infantry, 1862, and was promoted into the United States army, 
1866, for distinguished services. He is a member of the Board on Revision 
and Condensation of the Regulations. Mrs. Otis is a daughter of Colonel 
Bowman, U. S. Engineers, and former superintendent of the U. S. military 
academy. 

Major James Biddle, Sixth cavalry, president of the Board on State Claims, 
from the Tenth New York infantry, was appointed to the Fifteenth U. S. in 
fantry and transferred to the cavalry, 1870. Mrs. Biddle is a sister of Com 
modore Harmony, senior bureau officer of the navy department. Miss Bid- 
die is a very interesting young lady. 

Captain John G. Bourke, Third cavalry, aid to General Crook in Arizona 
for a number of yer.r.-, is one of the best informed officers in the army on In 
dian matters, speaking several of their languages. He is also an author of 



176 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

repute on Indian ethnology, and under orders of the government prepared a 

work on the Indians. Mrs. Bourke is from Omaha, a very agreeable lady. 
Captain \Vyllis Lyman, Fifth infantry in the War Records office, is a brother 

of the wife of Senator Edmunds Mrs. Lyman and her daughter Miss Lyman 

are very interesting in social life. 

Captain Douglas M. Scott, First infantty, on recruiting service, is a nephew 

of Representative W. R. Scott, of Pennsylvania, and son of the late Admiral 

Scott, U. S. N. Mrs. D. M. Scott who is from Buffalo, and Mrs. Gustavus H. 

Scot", the mother of Captain Scott, and widow of Rear Admiral Gustavus H. 

Scott, are well known in society. 

Captain Edward Hunter, First Cavalry, of the Board of State and Territo 
rial Claims, entered the service from the military academy in 1866. Mrs. 

Hunter was Miss Hoff, daughter of the late Eugene Hoff, U. S. A., and sis 
ter of the present surgeon, John Van R. Hoff, U. S. A. 

First Lieutenant Thomas T. Knox, First cavalry, of the War Record office, 
entered the service from the military academy in 1867. 

First Lieutenant \Villiam P. Duval, in addition to his military duty during 
the last season, assisted Colonel Wilson in the ceremonial function of presenting 
guests at levees to the wife of the President, and therefore appears among the 
members of the President s official household. Mrs. Duval was Rose Green- 
how, named after her mother. Mrs. Greenhow was put in prison by order 
of Secretary Stanton, for her southern sympathies, and was subsequently sent 
south. She went to London and Paris, and while on her return, in attempt 
ing to leave the blockade runner in a small boat, to land, was drowned in 
Wilmington harbor, North Carolina. Mrs. Duval had been placed in a con 
vent by her mother, in Pans, where she was educated. 

First Lieutenant George B. Davis, Fifth Cavalry, former assistant Pro 
fessor of Law at the U. S. military academy, and author of a recent work on 
international law, and Mrs. Davis, who is from Springfield, Mass., occupy a 
pleasant place, in the military circle. 

First Lieutenant Frank West, Sixth Cavalry, Recorder of the Board of 
State and Territorial Claims, entered the service from the military academy 
in 1872. Mrs. West is a very attractive woman in her home or social sur 
roundings. 

The garrison of Washington consists of the officers and men of one light 
and five foot batteries of the Third United States artillery, stationed at Wash 
ington barracks, commanding the approaches to the city by water from the 
Chesapeake bay and the Potomac river. The officers and their ladies in the 
social life of the capital make up a little circle of their own and contribute 
largely to the pleasures of the gay season. The "Mondays" of the ladies 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 177 

of the garrison are among the most interesting events of the social routine of 
the capital. 

General Horatio Gates Gibson, colonel Third artillery, commanding the gar 
rison, a native of Maryland, belongs to the Gibsons of Pennsylvania, and 
received his appointment from that State. His brother, John Gibson, is judge 
of the Nineteenth judicial district of Pennsylvania, and another brother is Com 
mander William Gibson, of the U. S. navy, now retired. General Gibson 
served in Mexico, through the rebellion, and on the frontiers, receiving recog 
nition for meritorious services, by brevet, from captain to brigadier general. 

Mrs. Gibson, the first lady of the garrison matrons, was widow of the son 
of the famous General Henry Atkinson of the war of 1812, and distinguished 
in the Black Hawk war as the captor of that noted aboriginal chieftain. As a 
young lady, Mrs. Gibson was Harriet Walker, daughter of Major Benjamin 
Walker, paymaster United States army, who as a boy took part in the expe 
dition against Otter Creek, Canada, war of 1812, and served in Mexico. She 
was a great beauty as a young lady, and is now one of the most attractive 
ladies in social life. Her two daughters, Kitty and Agnes Gibson, are also 
very pretty, and possess many social gifts. Among their guests were Miss 
Florence Livingston, daughter of Colonel Livingston, Third artillery, stationed 
at Fort McHenry. 

The commodious quarters of the commandant afford ample accommodations 
for the drawing-rooms of his charming wife. She is usually assisted by one 
or all the ladies of the garrison. The garrison band adds to the attractions of 
these delightful occasions. When the other ladies of the garrison are not in 
the receiving party at the commandant s quarters, as a rule they are "at 
home" at their own quarters. The hours of the " Mondays " at the garrison 
are 3 to 6, p. m. It makes a pleasant diversion in the social gayety of the 
season to make " the tour" by attending the inspection and Marine Band 
concert at the Marine Barracts, 10 to 12, a m. ; visiting the Naval Arsenal 
and attending the drawing-rooms at the marine commandant s quarters and 
Naval Arsenal, 2 to 4, p. m., and finishing at the Washington barracks, 4 to 6, 
p. m., thence returning to the city. This is always regarded as one of the 
most delightful and entertaining episodes in the social routine of the fash 
ionable season at the capital. 

The other officers and ladies composing the social circle of the garrison 
during the season were Lieutenant Colonel E. C. Bainbridge, son of the dis 
tinguished Captain Bainbridge, Fourth artillery. Mrs. Bainbridge was the 
daughter of one of the prominent French residents of New Orleans. Her 
daughter Marie is one of the most interesting young ladies in Washing 
ton, and assists her mother in her receptions at her father s quarters in the 
12 



178 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

fine building directly opposite the commanding officer s quarters. Colonel 
Bainbridge having been assigned to Newport Barracks, Kentucky, has been 
relieved by Colonel Richard Lodor. Mrs. Lodor and Miss Lodor are agree 
able acquisitions to the social circle of the garrison. 

Captain Lewis Smith, an Irishman by birth, rose from the ranks of the 
army, and is one of the most gallant members of the personnel of his grade. 
Mrs. Smith is also a native of Ireland. She has two daughters, the elder the 
wife of Dr. Cunningham, of the army. The younger, Henrietta, wife of Lieu 
tenant Ira A. Haynes, Third artillery, stationed at Fortress Monroe, was the 
bride of the regiment. Surgeon William D. Wolverton, a Quaker, and Mrs. 
Wolverton, with her two young daughters, and Assistant Surgeon Wilcox and 
wife, who was Miss Claia Brown, of Utica, New York, are also very interest 
ing members of the garison circle, occupying the medical quarters. 

Major John Turnbull, son of Colonel William Turnbull, United States en 
gineer, is a bachelor, but prominent in army social circles; Captain James M. 
Lancaster, whose wife is very attractive, goes but very little in society; Cap 
tain James Chester, a bechelor, a Scotchman by birth, who began his military 
career in the ranks and is regarded as one of the most accomplished officers in 
the service; Major F. W. Hess, whose wife was Miss Hayden, of an old 
Baltimore family, and Captain John F. Mount, whose wife was Miss Thomp 
son, of Pittsford, of the interior of New York, make up the circle of the 
battery commanders of the garrison. 

Of the wives of the first lieutenants, Mrs. Constantine Chase was Miss 
Mosher, of Washington, very popular in society then and now. Lieutenant 
Chase is regimental quartermaster. Mrs. R. D. Potts was Miss Bestor, of an 
old Washington family. Lieutenant Potts is the son of John Potts, for many 
years chief clerk of the war department. Mrs. Humphreys is wife of Lieu 
tenant Charles Humphreys, a son of General A. A. Humphreys, the distin 
guished commander of the Second division of the Third corps at Gettysburg. 
Mrs. J. B. Eaton was Miss Gove, a pretty Quaker maiden, of Boston. Mrs. 
Edward Davis vas also Miss Davis, of Washington, another favorite in resi 
dent society. Mrs. S. Pratt was Miss Keith, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. 
Lieutenant Benjamin Harrison Randolph is a bachelor and son of a Rhode 
Island clergyman. Mrs. J. D. C. Hoskins was Miss Guiterez, a Cuban belle 
and daughter of the Cuban patriot Senor Guiterez, the friend of Gonzales. 
Mrs. H. R. Lemly was Catherine Palmer, one of the three beautiful and ac 
complished daughters of General Innis Palmer, United States army. Lieu 
tenant Lemly is a brother of the well-known Naval Lieutenant Lemly. Mrs. 
J. E. Myers was Miss Canfield, daughter of a New York clergyman. 
Charles B. Satterlee, another of the bachelor officers, is adjutant of the regi. 
ment. 



THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. 179 

The young and dashing second lieutenants of the garrison, Charles A. Ben- 
net, Louis Ostheim, and J. D. Barrette, leader of the army and navy Germans, 
are still on fatigue duty socially, and are subject to orders. When Cupid finds 
them with his little dart, hemlet, buckler and sword, there will be no defense 
against the insidious missile and society will witness them surrender at dis 
cretion to the invincible. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. 

THE NAVAL CIRCLE THE ADMIRAL AND MRS. PORTER THE VICE ADMIRAL 
THE ACTIVE REAR ADMIRALS OFFICERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BU 
REAUS AND THEIR LADIES THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL PROFESSOR 
NEWCOMB AND ASSISTANTS AND THEIR LADIES THE OFFICERS OF THE 
HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, STEEL INSPECTION, NAVAL OBSERVATORY, NAVY 
YARD, AND ON SPECIAL DUTY THEIR LADIES. 



fHE administrative service of the navy requires the presence at the national 
capital of a large assignment of officers of that branch of the war power 
^/ . of the government. In addition to their duty they form an important part 
of the surroundings of the Executive in matters of a ceremonial or social na 
ture. The President each session gives a reception "to the officers of the 
navy " collectively, in connection with the officers of the army, upon which 
occasion the members of the civil and judicial branches of the government and 
diplomatic corps are invited. The naval society list comprises about two hun 
dred officers, from the admiral, full of years and glory, down through the de 
scending scale of rank to the young ensign, with his career before him. Upon 
all formal occasions the officers appear in the regulation full dress of the service 
andminglingwith the brilliant court dresses of the diplomats, warlike uniforms 
of the army, and elegant toilettes of the ladies, present a scene of splendor not 
witnessed elsewhere in this country of Republican forms and simplicity. 

The presence of such a large circle cf officers adds greatly to the many at 
tractive features of the fashionable life of Washington during the season. 
Among the number are the representative heroes of the naval exploits of fully 
half a century. This element in the social life of the capital not only contrib 
utes one phase of the nationality of its character, but is a living epitome of 
the country s history and its glory on the sea. The stories of their lives 
chronicle the demolition of the pagodad battlements of China, the warlike 
penetration of the rivers of Paraguay, the bombardment of the coast fortresses 
of Mexico, the storming of the walls of Corea, or the leveling of the batteries 
of the rebellion, stretching from Port Royal to Galveston. 



l8o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

In their aggregate official and ceremonial relation, the army takes -prece 
dence of the navy in the war power of the government. This is shown on all 
State occasions, at the President s house. In the various grades of rank in 
the several branches of the service, land and sea, there exists, however, by 
official authority, a relative rank which makes officers of the army, the navy, 
or the marine corps, within their designated grades, of equal rank, stand upon 
the same plane. The admiral of the navy, for instance, has the relative rank, 
and therefore stands on the same social level as the general of the army. 
This relative rank runs through a l grades from the highest to the lowest, 
second lieutenants of the army and ensigns of the navy having the same social 
rank. 

The Admiral and Mrs. Porter represent the head of the naval circle. Admiral 
Porter is the most interesting figure among the living officers of the navy, not 
simply on account of his rank, but for his long period of distinguished ser 
vice. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1813, or precisely one year after the 
declaration of hostilities in the second war against Great Britain. He entered 
the navy in 1829. His bravery and daring appears on every occasion where 
the navy has been called into general service. In Mexico he participated in 
the attacks on Vera Cruz and other Mexican ports, and the land fight at Tu- 
multee. He demolished the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi, opening the 
way to Farragut in the capture of New Orleans. He commanded the Missis- 
sippi squadron which aided in reducing Vicksburg and opening the Missis 
sippi river, and culminated his work in the capture of Fort Fisher, one of the 
closing great events of the rebellion. The admiral is tall and sinewy, and 
courtly. True to his sailor instincts, he is fond of " spinning yarns," with 
laudable pride, about the achievements of the navy. He lives in an elegant 
residence, and entertains brilliantly, the naval element predominating, His 
house is a sort of social rendezvous for the officers of the navy and their ladies. 
Mrs. Porter was Miss Patterson, sister of Carl le Patterson, formerly super 
intendent of the Coast Survey, and the daughter of a commodore. While 
approaching advancement in years, she retains all the grace and vivacity that 
made her first a belle and then a leader in society. Her daughter Lizzie is 
the wife of Lieutenant Leavitt C. Logan, of the navy. Her younger daugh 
ter, Lena, is very accomplished and attractive. Of her four handsome sons, 
Theodoric is a lieutenant in the navy, and Carlile P., first lieutenant in the 
marines. The admiral, who is seventy four, is hale and hearty. He takes a 
fatherly interest and pride in the young officers, giving them good counsel and 
encouragement. Mrs. Porter takes a motherly concern in the young wives 
as they marry into the service. 

Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan is an Irishman by birth, full of the wit, 



THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. iSl 

sunshine, and courage of Erin s sons. He fought the first naval engagement 
of the rebellion, in May 1861. In his earlier society days he was very active 
and popular, but the weight of over four-score years is now too much of a 
handicap. Rear Admiral J. E. Jouett, of Kentucky, and Mrs. Jouett, appear 
but little in society. Admiral Jouett, president of the Board of Inspection, 
who commanded the Metacomet in the fight in Mobile bay, was directed 
by Admiral Farragut to pursue three gun-boats annoying the fleet with a 
raking fire. When pursued the enemy ran into shallow water. The man 
at the lead on Jouett s vessel soon began shouting shoal water. Jouett, de 
termined not to give up the chase for want of water, yelled: "Take that 
man away from the lead ; he makes me nervous. Shove her ahead." Away 
she went, grinding over the bottom, but making short work of the gun-boats. 

Rear Admiral John Lee Davis, a native of Indiana, president of the Re 
tiring Board, served in the Mexican war, and commanded the iron-clad, Mon- 
tauk, engaging Sumter, and other formidable batteries in the south Atlantic 
during the rebellion. Mrs. Davis and Miss Davis are very popular in soci 
ety circles. 

The chiefs of the eight administrative bureaus of the Navy Department rep 
resent the more active society people on the naval list. The senior Bureau 
in creation and senior naval officer in charge is Commodore David B. Har 
mony, of Pennsylvania, Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. As first 
lieutenant on board the Iroquois, he participated in the passage and bombard 
ment of the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi and capture of New Orleans 
and Grand Gulf, and in the engagements with the batteries of Vicksburg. He 
commanded the gunboat Sebego in the capture of New Orleans. Mrs. Har 
mony, who is very handsome, and one of the leaders of society, was Georgia 
McGowan, daughter of Captain John McGowan, one of the oldest officers in 
the U. S. revenue marine service. She is a sister of the wife of Major James 
Biddle, Sixth cavalry, and sister of Lieutenant Commander John McGowan, Jr., 
and Assistant Paymaster William C. McGowan, U. S. N. 

Lieutenant Commander Charles H. Stockton, of Pennsylvania, class of 
1865, served on the transit of Venus expedition. Mrs. Stockton, who was 
Pauline Kirg, is a daughter of the late Peter Vandervoort King, a prominent 
merchant of New York. Through her father she is connected with the old 
colonial families of Vandervoort and Lentilhon, of New York. Mrs. King, 
and Miss Anne V. King, the mother and sister of Mrs. Stockton, spent the 
season in Washington. 

Civil Engineer Anceito G. Menocal, a native of Cuba, an authority on 
American isthmian canals and engineer of the Nicarauguan route, and Mrs. 
Menocal, are very interesting in society. . Civil Engineer Robert E. Peary, of 



1 82 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Maine, a bachelor, is distinguished as having made a remarkable journey 
alone into the heart of the glacier-capped continent of Greenland. 

Commodore John G. Walker, of Iowa, chief of the Bureau of Navigation 
and office of Detail, has a quarter-deck readiness, and precision in his method 
of doing business which has given him high reputation as an executive officer. 
The commodore was the terror of the Confederate batteries and gun-boats 
on the Mississippi and Yazoo, in the vicinity of Vicksburg. Mrs. Walker 
was Miss Pickering of Massachusetts, great-grand-daughter of Timothy Pick 
ering, one of Washington s cabinet officers, and grand-daughter ot John 
Pickering, the unrivaled linguist. 

This bureau is also represented in social life by Commander William Bain- 
bridge Hoff and Mrs. Hoff and Commander Bowman H. McCalla, assistant 
Chief of Bureau, and Mrs. McCalla, who was Lilly Sargent, of Boston, daugh 
ter of General H. B. Sargent, who entered the late war as lieutenant colonel 
of the First Massachusetts cavalry. Mrs. McCalla is not only a lady of many 
social gilts, but has artistic abilities of a high order. The principal rooms in 
her beautiful home in Washington, are decorated in panel work enriched with 
subjects from her own brush. 

Among the other officers are Lieutenant Richard T. Mulligan; Lieutenant 
Charles C. Cornwell, superintendent of Compasses, and Mrs. Cornwall, a 
Spanish lady of beauty, who was Seiiorita Ceda, one of the leading families of 
Barcelona. 

Commodore Montgomery Sicard, of New York, the chief of the Bureau 
of Ordnance, figured conspicuously in the late war in the naval engagements 
preceding the capture of New Orleans and Vicksburg, and the naval and land 
assaults on Fort Fisher, and the bombardment of Fort Anderson. Commo 
dore Sicard and Mrs. and Miss Sicard are prominent members of the society 
of the capital. The other officers of the bureau, and their ladies, are Lieu 
tenants Albert R. Couden and Mrs. Couden ; Charles A. Stone and Mrs. 
Stone, who was Liley Wood, daughter of Chief Engineer W. W. W. Wood, 
U. S. N.; Newton E. Mason; William Wirt Kimball and Mrs Kim ball, who 
was Esther S. Spencer, daughter of John Spencer, of Chester, Maryland, 
of one of the historical families of the "Eastern Shore;" Thomas C. McLean, 
and Lieutenant Charles A. Bradbury and Mrs. C. W. Bradbury, of Vermont, 
his mother. 

Commodore Winfield S. Schley, of Maryland, chief of the Burean of Equip 
ment and Recruiting, participated in the operations of the west gulf Squad 
ron, and in the engagements which led to the capture of Port Hudson, 
and opening of the Mississippi river. He also led the relief expedition to the 
Arctic regions, which saved the remnant of Lieutenant Greeley s starving par- 



THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. 183 

ty of polar explorers. Mrs. Schley was Annie Franklin, of Annapolis. 
Miss Virginia Schley, her daughter, made her debut last season, and was a 
great belle. 

Lieutenant William H. Irwin and Ensign Herbert O. Dunn, of this Bu 
reau, also participated in the social gayeties of the season. 

Surgeon General Francis M. Gunnell, who is a bachelor, is a man of dis 
tinguished presence, and the Chesterfield of the navy. His mother, who was 
born in Georgetown, in January 1797, or three months before the close of 
Washington s administration, presides over his household. Mrs. Gunnell is 
one of the most interesting ladies at the capital, as her recollections of social 
events extend over a period almost as extensive as the history of the capital 
itself. The other members of the medical corps and their ladies who parti 
cipate in the ceremonial and social affairs of Washington, are medical direc 
tors James Suddards, president of the Medical Examining board, and second 
ranking officer, and Mrs. Suddards, a Philadelphia lady; James M. Browne, 
in charge of the Museum of Hygiene, and Mrs. Browne, a grand-daughter of 
Francis Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner; Thomas J. Turner, 
a member of the Examining and Retiring board; Richard C. Dean, and Mrs. 
Dean, who is from New Jersey; Medical Inspectors David Kindelberger, 
in charge of the Naval Hospital, Mrs. Kindelberger, who is of Washington, 
and Newton L. Bates and Mrs. Bates, on special duty at the Naval Dispen 
sary; Surgeons William K. Van Reypen, assistant to the Bureau of Medicine, 
and Mrs. Van Reypen, who is from Brooklyn; Charles H. White, of the 
museum of Hygiene, and John C. Boyd, of the Bureau. Also Assistant 
Surgeons Cumberland G. Hall, of the Naval Dispensary, Henry G. Beyer in 
charge of the materia medica collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and 
Mrs. Beyer; Cunningham W. Deane, Surgeon of the receiving ship Dale, and 
Mrs. and the Misses Lyons; George Arthur of the Museum of Hygiene; 
Millard H. Crawford, Naval Hospital, and Francis S. Nash, on scientific 
duty at the Smithsonian Institution, and Mrs. Nash, who is from South Car 
olina. 

Paymaster General James Fulton, who is Chief of the Bureau of Provisions 
and Clothing, and Mrs. Fulton, who was Miss Belle Mallard, daughter of J. 
D. Mallard, a merchant of Los Angeles, California; Pay Director Thomas 
H. Looker, senior of the corps in charge of the pay office at Washington, and 
Mrs. Looker; Pay Inspectors Richard Washington, and Mrs. Washington, 
who was Miss Barker, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Miss Barker, her 
sister; Luther G. Billings, and Mrs. Billings; Paymasters Henry T. Wright, 
and Mrs. Wright, a Miss Speer, of New York; John R. Carmody and Mrs. 
Carmody, who was Miss Etheridge, of Herkimer, New York; H. Trumbull 



184 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Stancliff and Mrs. Stancliff, -who was Susie A. Bullock, of Hartford, Connec 
ticut; Lawrence L. Boggs, U. S. receiving ship Dale, and Mrs. Boggs, and 
Assistant Paymaster Livingston Hunt, son of \V. H. Hunt, of Louisiana, 
former Secretary of the Navy, and his sister, Miss C. R. Hunt, the lady 
member of his household, represent this branch of the naval administration 
in the social life of the navy circle. 

The Bureau of Steam Engineering is represented by Engineer-in-Chief 
Charles H. Loring, who superintended in the late war the building at Pitts- 
burg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, a fleet of eleven harbor and river monitors 
and light draft gunboats. One of the sad events of the season was the death 
of his daughter, Mary Malbon Loring, who presided over his household. 
Mrs. Loring, \sho died some years ago, was Ruth D. Malbon, of Hingham, 
grand-daughter of Captain Micajeh Malbon, of the British navy, in charge of 
prisoners of war in the English conflicts with France in the early part of the 
century. 

Among the other officers of the corps and their ladies in society during the 
season were chief engineers Alexander Henderson, member of the naval ad 
visory board, and Mrs. Henderson, who was Miss Middleton, of Washington; 
Philip Inch, member of the board of inspection and survey, and Mrs. and 
Miss Inch; Henry Lee Snyder, superintendent of the State, War and Navy 
department building, and Mrs. Snyder, who was Elizabeth Lee, daughter of 
Richard Lee, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania; Charles E. De Valin, and Mrs. De 
Valin, who was Ellen Appleby, sister of George N. Appleby, of Washington; 
Daniel P. McCartney, on duty at the Washington navy yard; Absalom Kir- 
by and Mrs. Kirby; Robert B. Hine ; William H. Harris, assistant to the 
engineer-in-chief, and W. S. Smith, inspector of new cruisers, and Mrs. Smith, 
who was a daughter of Major Young, U. S. navy, and Miss Smith; Passed 
Assistant Engineers William A. H. Allen; Harrie \Vebster and Mrs. Webster, 
sister of Lieutenant Otto L. Hein, First cavalry; John A. Tobin, assistant to 
the superintendent of Slate, \Var and Navy department building; Herschel 
Main, Mrs. Main, who was Charlotte Bradbury, of Westminster, Massa 
chusetts, and Miss Mabel Main; William S. Moore, and Mrs. Moore, daugh 
ter of Gen. Eastman, U. S. army; William H. Nauman, and Mrs. Nauman, 
who was Mary Peters, daughter of George C. Peters, banker, of Portland, 
Maine; Henry Herwig and Mrs. Herwig, who was Miss Wheat, of an old 
family, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Martin Bevington, assistant to the engi 
neer-in chief. 

The Bureau of Construction and Repair is represented by Chief Constructor 
Theodore D. Wilson, of Ne *r York, the senior member of his branch of the 
naval service, a widower; Philip Hichborn, of California, member "of the 



THE NAVY IX SOCIETY. 185 

Board of Inspection and Survey, and Mrs. Hichborn, who \ias Jennie M. 
Franklin, daughter of Philip Franklin, of Townshend, Vermont, and Assistant 
Naval Constructor Lewis Nixon, of Virginia, also take part in society. 

Colonel William B. Reamy, United States Marine Corps, Judge Advocate 
General of the Navy, a bachelor, has long been a prominent society man and 
a great favorite. He entered the Marine Corps in 1861, and serving with dis 
tinction, came to Washington ia 1869 as instructor in the army code of signals. 
Lieutenant Adolph Marix, a native of Saxony, and Lieutenant Samuel C. 
Lemly, both bachelors, are popular in society. The latter is one of the best 
posted men in the navy on society matters. Lieutenant William H. Stayton, 
marine corps, and Mrs. Stayton, who was Annie Henderson, daughter of 
Chief Engineer Henderson, U. S. N., are also pleasant members of naval 
society. 

Among the other members of the naval circle are Professor Simon New- 
comb, superintendent of the Nautical Almanac, one of the foremost mathe 
maticians and astronomers not only of the United States, but of the world. 
Mrs. Newcomb was Mary C. Hassler, daughter of Surgeon C. A. Hassler,U. S. 
navy, and grand-daughter of Ferdinand A. Hassler, first superintendent of the 
coast survey. Miss Anita Rosalie Newcomb assiststs her mother in society. 

Lieutenant John W. Stewart, and Mrs. Stewart, who was Alice O. Laney, 
daughter of Rev. W. H. Laney, of the Methodist church, a grand-daughter of 
the late Thomas Wilson, of Silver Springs, Maryland, and related on her moth 
er s side to the Philips and Pickerell families of Georgetown, are also agreea 
ble members of the naval circle. 

The hydographer of the navy, Commander John R. Bartlett, chief of the 
hydrographic office, is a nephew of the late Senator Anthony, of Rhode Island. 
Mrs. Bartlett, well known in society, is also from Rhode Island. The other 
members of this scientific branch of the service, and their ladies, are Lieu 
tenants George L. Dyer and Mrs. Dyer, who was a daughter of the late Judge 
Palmer, of New York; W. H. Parker and Mrs. Parker, a daughter of Rear 
Admiral Thornton A. Jenkens ; Downs L. W 7 ilson and Mrs. Wilson ; Nathan 
Niles and Mrs. Niles, who was Blanche Rousseau, daughter of General 
Lovell Helaire Rousseau, one of the finest officers of the volunteer service 
of the late war; Charles M. Emmerick ; R. G. Davenport and Mrs. Daven 
port, who is from New York; Gottfried Block linger, and Mrs. Blockinger, who 
was Miss Weigel, daughter of Frederick W. Weigel, of Dubuque, Iowa; 
Frederick H. Le Favor and Mrs. Le Favor, and Greenlief A. Merriam and 
Mrs. Merriam. Also Lieutenant Commander W. H. Brownson, Hydro- 
graphic Inspector U. S. Coast Survey, and Mrs. Brownson. 

Commander Robley Evans, Chief Inspector of steel for the new vessels, is 



1 86 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

one of the most active young men in the navy. Mrs. Evans was Charlotte 
Taylor, daughter of Franck Taylor, an old citizen of Washington, and a great 
grand-daughter of General Daniel Morgan, the hero of the revolutionary bat 
tle of Cowpens. Her brother is Captain D. M. Taylor, ordnance corps, U. 
S. A , and her sister is Mrs. Maguire, wife of a former president of the 
Washington jockey club. 

Lieutenant Frank J. Milligan, who keeps the record of steel inspection 
for the new vessels of the navy, is another of the bright younger men of the 
service. Mrs. Milligan was Carrie E. Andrews, of Knoxville, Tennessee, 
and a member of the historic family of Lathrops, of Michigan. 

Commander Henry F. Picking, Naval Secretary of the Light House board, 
has seen extensive service on sea and land, and is one of the most courtly 
men in the navy. 

Among the officers on special duty and the ladies of their families during 
the season were Commodore James A. Greer, President of the Naval Exam 
ining Board, Mrs. and Miss Greer; Commodore Aaron W. Weaver and Mrs. 
and Miss Weaver; Captain Francis M. Ramsay and Mrs. Ramsay, a sister 
of General Martin McMahon, of New York; Professor James Russell Soley, 
in charge of library and war records, formerly civil professor at the naval 
academy, author of "The Blockade and the Cruisers," and other works, and 
Mrs Soley, who was Mary Howland, grand-daughter of Gardner G. How- 
land, head of the celebrated firm of Howland & Aspimvall, merchants of New 
York; Lieutenant Richard Rush, son of J Murray Rush, an eminent lawyer 
of Philadelphia, and grand-son of Richard Rush, Secretary of the Treasury, 
minister to England, and attorney general, and Mrs. Rush, who was Ella M. 
Day, daughter of Edgar B. Day, of Catskill, New York, and grand-daughter of 
Elisha Camp, of Sackett s harbor, and famous in the war of 1812; Lieutenant 
James C. Gilmore and Mrs. Gilmore, daughter of a former collector of Alas 
ka; Lieutenant Percival J. Werlich and Mrs. Werlich, formerly Hattie Mc- 
Ceney, one of the prettiest of Washington s young society ladies ; Lieutenant 
Chauncey Thomas, aide to the Admiral and Mrs. Thomas, who was a daugh 
ter of J. P. Flagg, of Cambridge, Massachusetts ; T. Dix Bolles, of the Smith 
sonian Institution, and Mrs. Bolles ; Captain Richard W. Meade, a nephew 
of the victor of Gettysburg, and Mrs. Meade, who is a daughter of Commo 
dore Hiram Paulding, and Miss Meade; Captain William P. McCann, of the 
Advisory Board, Mrs. McCann, and Miss Vulte ; Commander Silas Casey, 
commanding the U. S. receiving ship Dale, and Mrs. and the Misses Casey, 
and Lieutenant W. W. Rhoades, also of the Dale, and Mrs. Rhoades. 

The officers and scientific staff of the Naval Observatory and their ladies 
constitute another interesting group in the navy circle, among them Captain 



THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. 187 

Robert L. Pythian, the superintendent, and Mrs. Pythian; Commander Allen 

D. Brown, assistant superintendent, and Mrs. and Miss Brown; Lieutenant 
Sumner C Paine and Mrs. Paine; Lewis C. Heilner and Mrs. Heilner; H. 
W. Schaefer and Mrs. Schaefer; Lazarus L. Reamey, in former seasons one 
of the popular masters of ceremony and leaders of germans, and Mrs. 
Reamy, a descendant of Elder Brewster, of Mayflower fame; William H. 
Allen and Mrs. Allen; James H. Sears and Mrs. Sears; William P. Elliott 
and Mrs. Elliott; Ensign A. G. Winterhalter, Mrs. L. Winterhalter, and Miss 
Winterhalter; A. M. Mayer, and Professor Asaph Hall and Mrs. Hall; 
William Harkriess; John R. Eastman and Mrs. Eastman and Edgar Frisby 
and Mrs. Frisby. 

The officers of the line and ladies at the navy yard during the season formed 
an agreeable circle of their own. The Mondays "at home" of the ladies 
who resided at the yard were always the occasion of pleasant gatherings of 
many of the fashionables from the city. This interesting group, including those 
residing in the yard and in the city, consisted of Captain Rush R. Wallace 
and Mrs. and Miss Wallace; Commanders William Gibson and Mrs. Gibson; 
A. G. Kellogg and Mrs. Kellogg, who was Miss Evans, of Washington; 
and A. H. McCormick and Mrs. McCormick; Lieutenant Commanders Robert 

E. Impey and Mrs. Impey; Eugene W. Watson and Mrs. Watson; Herbert 
Winslow and Mrs. Winslow; Joseph W. Hemphill; William Swift and Mrs. 
Swift; Robert E. Carmody and Mrs. Carmody; Albert G. Berry and Mrs, 
Berry; Walter C. Cowles; Edward J. Dorn and Mrs. Dorn; Alfred Rey 
nolds and Mrs. Reynolds; Andrew Dunlap and Mrs. Dunlap; Robert Platt 
and Mrs. Flatt; Perry Garst and Mis. Garst; and Ensigns Albert Cleaves 
and H. C. Wakenshaw. 

Among the officers on leave, or waiting orders, who spent the gay season 
with their ladies at the capital, were Captain N. H. Farquhar and Mrs. Far- 
quhar; Allen Reed and Mrs. Reed; Commander Richard P. Leary and Mrs. 
Leary; Charles D. Sigsbee and Mrs. Sigsbee; Lieutenant Commander Joshua 
Bishop and Mrs. Bishop; Francis M. Barber and Mrs. Barber; Lieutenant 
Seth M. Ackley and Mrs. Ackley; Richardson Clover and Mrs. Clover and 
her mother, Mrs. Miller, widow of U. S. Senator John F. Miller, of Cali 
fornia. 

The officers of the navy and their ladies, as a rule, take a more active part 
in the social affairs of the capital than any other branch of the service. The 
officers having much of the ceremonial and social in the line of duty naturally 
makes them at home on all matters of etiquette. 



1 88 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XXV. 
THE MARINES IN SOCIETY. 

"MONDAYS" AT THE BARRACKS FASHION, MUSIC AND PARADE THE I&gt; 
SPECTION "HDP" SOCIETY SIGHT SEEING THE DRAWING-ROOMS O 
THE WIFE OF THE COLONEL COMMANDANT COLONEL MCCAWLEY TH 
STAFF MAJOR HOUSTON CAPTAIN POPE THE JUNIOR OFFICERS TH 
LADIES OF THE GARRISON. 



ry N the role of s ocial novelties in fashionable life at the capital during th 
nf\ S a y season no more fascinating diversion from the common round c 
(^J gayeties presents itself than "Mondays" at the Marine Barracks an 
Naval Arsenal, the former the headquarters of that chosen body of martis 
amphibians, the marine corps, and the latter the station of the naval ordnanc 
officers who make guns that throw the destructive missiles of modern wa 
from blank range to eight miles. Dowagers and matrons, buds and belles 
wives and daughters of social highnesses, friends and lovers, may be see 
weekly hastening towards the shores of the Anacostia, in the extreme south 
eastern portion of the city, to take in these delightful and not soon to be foi 
gotten occasions. 

On the first Monday in December, and thereafter until gay society makes it 
annual migration to other fields, the usual inspection and review of the marine 
at the barracks is followed by a concert from 10.30,3. m., to 12, m.,by the un 
rivaled Marine Band, under the excellent leadership of Professor J. P. Sousa 
a skillful director and composer of the popular operas Desiiee, the Smugglers 
Queen of Hearts, and numerous miscellaneous pieces. The marines, draw: 
up on the barracks parade in their bright uniforms and highly furbished equip 
ments, their manoeuvers executed with the precision of mechanical movements 
their inimitable red-uniformed band of sixty pieces discoursing the finest music 
the sheen of bayonets and glistening of silver instruments, presents a livel 
picture of martial array. 

In the mess hall of the barracks the group of capital beauties in their ele 
gant morning toilettes, dwelling in raptures upon the delightful harmonies c 
the corps band, presents another picture of social entertainment enjoyable ii 
the extreme. The repertoire is chosen from the choicest and latest creation 
of composers of all lands adapted under the genius of Sousa. Not unfre 
quently the wishes of the young ladies prevail for a short "hop," which is al 
lowed in the large suite of the main quarters of the officers, the string orches 
tra of the band furnishing excellent music. 

Pending an intermission of an hour or two, the ladies, under escort of th&lt; 



THE MARINES IN SOCIETY. 189 

gaily-uniformed officers of the corps, visit the navy yard near by, taking a 
glance at the sulphurous flames of its fiery foundries, the workings of the pon 
derous lathes, the ships of war lying in the stream and the frowning practice 
batteries scanning the placid waters of the broad Anacostia and Potomac. 

Having viewed the appliances of grim-visaged war, returning to the bar 
racks, the reception of Mrs. McCawley, the wife of the colonel commandant, 
awaits them from 2 to 5, p. m. 

The first lady of the social circle of the Marine Corps, before she became the 
wife of the gallant colonel commandant, was Miss Elise Henderson, of Ger- 
mantown, a niece of the brave old admiral, James Alden. the "fighting Jim 
my " of the navy. Mrs. McCawley s receptions are among the most charming 
in Washington. The lady herself is exceedingly pretty, very attractive and 
does the social honors of the corps with surpassing popularity. 

Colonel Charles G. McCawley was born into the corps, his father having 
been a captain of marines. He is one of the handsome men of the service, 
being tall, well formed, with a military bearing. He is a Pennsylvanian, and 
joined the corps as a second lieutenant for service in Mexico. He partici 
pated in the storming of Chapultepec and taking of the Mexican capital, and 
was brevetted for meritorious conduct. After distinguished services else 
where, he commanded a detachment of one hundred marines in a boat attack 
on P ort Sumter, in 1863, for which he was brevetted major. He earned his 
command of the corps in 1876, through the laurels he had harvested on many 
fields of his country s glory. 

The military and social duty of the corps is represented on the staff by Ma 
jor Augustus S. Nicholson, adjutant and inspector, a son of the brave Major 
Augustus Nicholson, of the marines. He is a man of soldierly instincts, and 
very fond of fine horses, which he inherits from his father, a native of South 
Carolina, who owned the celebrated trotter Trenton, and was the leader of 
the aristocratic sporting circles of the early days of the capital. His mother 
was a member of the Lispenard family, one of the old families of New York, 
who owned what is now the busiest portion of the city. His brother is the 
veteran Commodore Nicholson. Mrs. Nicholson, who is of medium height, 
a very pretty blond, prematurely gray, was Jane Jessup, a daughter of the cel 
ebrated Colonel Jessup, of the army, afterward quartermaster general, who 
gave the Indians such a terrible defeat in Florida, capturing the sly old chief 
warrior, Osceola. The Nicholsons live in the city where they receive hand 
somely. 

Major Green Clay Goodloe has charge of the money chest of the corps. 
He is the grandson of Cassius M. Clay, and a thoroughbred blue grass Ken- 
tuckian. He is one of the handsomest men who ever wore the American 



1 90 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

uniform a little too stout perhaps, of late years, the fate of all high-strunj 
Kentuckians. Mrs. Goodloe was Bettie Beck, the tall, lithe, graceful, am 
winning daughter of the bluff, honest-hearted Scotch- American United State; 
Senator Beck, of Kentucky. She is a great -grand-daughter, on her mother * 
side, of Colonel John Thornton, a cousin of General Washington. 

Major Horatio B. Lowry, the Quartermaster of the corps, is a fine, sol 
dierly looking person, of middle age, who entered the service in 1861. H&lt; 
was distinguished in the operations of the marines in the naval movements dur 
ing the rebellion. Mrs. Lowry, who was Charlotte Huntingdon Young 
of Aurora, New York, is the daughter of Charles Clarke Young, one of th&lt; 
three founders of the Phi Beta Kappa society of Union College, and is de 
scended from Judge John Young, a Scotch Irishman, who emigrated to White: 
Town, near Utica, New York, about 1790, and married a daughter of Judg&lt; 
Hugh White, who, with his brother Philo White, established that settlement 
Judge Young was the original proprietor of fifteen thousand acres of lam 
in Ohio, and founder, about 1797, of the now enterprising city of Youngs 
town. He was the presiding Judge of the first court of quarter sessions o 
Trumbull county, Ohio. The Misses Mary Louisa, Ida Frances, and Helei 
Olivia Lowry, daughters of Major Lowry, are very attractive and popula 
young ladies. 

Major George P. Houston, commander of the marine barracks and it 
garrison, is a bachelor, but keeps house in the city with his two sisters. Hi 
is a native of the Pequa valley, that garden spot of Pennsylvania. His fa 
ther was the celebrated Dr. Houston, and his grand- father was "Squire 
Houston, one of Lancaster county s chosen citizens. Major Houston entere&lt; 
the corps in 1860, and during the rebellion commanded the marines of Ad 
miral Wilkes flag-ship Massachusetts, in search of the Confederate cruise 
Alabama. He entered the corps in 1860, receivinghis appointment personal!] 
from President James Buchanan, who, as a young man, studied law unde 
Judge James Hopkins, of Lancaster. Major Houston s grand-mother wa 
Judge Hopkins sister. His mother was Miss Hughes, of Lancaster, a grea 
belle. 

He presents a fine appearance at the head of his garrison of a couple of hun 
dred superbly uniformed, equipped and drilled marines, with their magnifi 
cent band, drum corps, and buglers. 

Captain Francis H. Harrington, second in command at the barracks, a na 
tive of Washington, is the son of a Washington journalist, George H. Har 
rington, afterwards Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Salmon P 
Chase and William Pitt Fessenden, and Minister Resident to Switzerlam 
1865-9. The Captain comes from old-time patriotic and fighting stock, beinj 



THE MARINES IN SOCIETY. igi 

a descendant of Samuel Chase, of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. His mother was a niece of the brave Commodore Barney. 
Mrs. Harrington, a charming lady, was Rose Callen, daughter of J. F. Cal- 
len, one of Washington s most prominent citizens. 

Another branch in the line of duty and in the social circle of the Marine 
Corps is made up of the officers and their kdies of the marine garrison sta 
tioned at the Naval Arsenal in the vicinity of the barracks. The commander 
of the garrison, Cap .ain Percival C. Pope, a son of Rear Admiral John Pope, 
is a native of Massachusetts. During the war of the rebellion he was bre- 
vetted for gallantry. He is one of the finest officers in the service. Mrs. 
Pope was Sarah W. Parker, daughter of one of the celebrated captains of the 
New England Merchant Marine. Captain Parker was in command of the 
clipper Santee, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, when captured in the Indian 
Ocean by the Confederate cruiser Florida. Mrs. Pope is a lady of fine social 
traits. 

Lieutenant Carlile P. Porter, second in command, the handsome son of 
Admiral Porter, has all the social qualities and gallantry of his distinguished 
family. The Lieutenant s wife was Carrie Capron, daughter of that heroic 
old soldier, Captain Capron, who fell in Mexico while in command of a bat 
tery of United States artillery in action in one of the series of desperate en 
counters against great odds on the march from Vera Cruz to the City of the 
Montezumas. Mrs. Porter is a beautiful blonde, tall and slender, with charm 
ing manners and excellent taste in dress. 

Lieutenant Frank L. Denny, son of Judge Denny, of Indianapolis, and 
nephew of Admiral Davis, is another of the popular officers. Mrs. Denny 
was Julia Palmer, daughter of General Innis Palmer, one of the army s best 
officers. She was a great belle, and a universal favorite. Lieutenant How 
ard K. Oilman, the junior of the garrison officers is not only another of the 
universally handsome officers of the corps, but is the author of several works 
on military subjects, notably " Naval Brigade and Operations Ashore." He is 
the son of Colonel Gilman, of the Commissary Department of the army. 

Dr. Andrew M. Moore, surgeon in the navy, who was on duty at the bar 
racks, is a native of New York. In society, he and his estimable wife, a Ten- 
nesseean, are among the interesting social figures of the navy and marine 
circles. Dr. Melancthon L. Ruth, who has relieved Dr. Moore as surgeon 
of the corps, is one of the prominent club men and beaux of Washington, 
being known in naval circles as the " handsome doctor." 



192 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 
RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. 

HEROES ON LAND AND SEA THE VETERANS OF THREE WARS IN THE PEACE 
FUL WALKS OF SOCIAL LIFE A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING OF BRAVE 
MEN AND ACCOMPLISHED WOMEJf. 

T is quite natural that the seat of government should be the residence of 
a large representation of the gallant officers who have fought the battles 
of their country for fully a half a century on land and sea. The asso 
ciations of the camp and the quarter-deck, strengthened by dangers and pri 
vations, find congenial companionship among those who have gone through 
the ordeal of war and duty. The presence also of so large an array of offi 
cers of both branches of the fighting arm of the government in the adminis 
trative branches, is another source of attraction to the men worn out in the 
service, yet by habits of discipline wont to go the rounds and keep up with 
the latest bit of army or navy intelligence. 

The retired officers of the army at the capital number nearly seventy, and 
their wives and daughters upwards of a. hundred. The navy adds over fifty 
officers and upwards of sixty ladies to the list. In the social life of the capi 
tal they receive social recognition with their different branches of the service, 
and appear, if their infirmities and disabilities will admit, at the Execu 
tive mansion upon occasions in which the army and navy are part of the dis. 
play. 

The ranking officer on this roll of war worn veterans of the army is Major 
General James B. Ricketts, of New Jersey, one of the most distinguished 
generals of the late war. He commanded a battery in the first battle of Bull 
Run, and a division in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. He was 
repeatedly brevetted for bravery, and disabled by wounds. Mrs. Ricketts is 
one of the most active ladies in social affairs. Her daughter, Miss Daisy 
Ricketts, is a great favorite. 

The next in the line are the generals of brigade, who for heroic or merito 
rious services were made major generals by brevet, and their ladies. 

Christopher G. Augur, of New York, was distinguished in Mexico, in the 
defenses of Washington, and in the campaigns in the Shenandoah valley, and 
siege of Port Hudson. Mrs. Augur, has two sons captains Colon of the Sec 
ond, and Jacob A. Augur, of the Fifth cavalry, and a daughter, the wife of 
George B. Russel, Ninth Infantry, and also an unmarried daughter. Benjamin 
W. Brice, of Pennsylvania, former Paymaster General, is one of the courtly 
men of the old army. William H. Emory, of Maryland, one of the most dis- 



RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. 193 

tinguished officers of the Army of the Potomac, the Shenandoah valley, and 
the Gulf, pending reconstruction, was military commander at New Orleans. 
Mrs. Emory was Miss Bache, daugh er of an early superintendent U. S. 
Coast Survey, and grand daughter of Benjamin Franklin. Her son, Lieuten 
ant William H. Emory, U. S. N., commanded one of the vessels in the Schley 
expedition for the relief of the Greeley arctic explorers. Miss Emory is a 
charming member of society. Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, succeeded John R. 
Floyd, in 1860, as Secretary of War, cooperated with the general-in-chief in 
maintaining order at the capital preceding and succeeding the inauguration of 
President Lincoln, and later as judge advocate general of the army, was con 
spicuous in the trial and execution of the conspirators headed by Wilkes 
Booth. Montgomery C. Meigs, of Pennsylvania, is one of the most distin 
guished engineers and architects in the army. He built the Washington 
aqueduct, wings and dome of the capitol, and the new pension building at 
Washington. Mrs. and the Misses Taylor, are the lady members of his house 
hold. Daniel H. Rucker, of New Jersey, breve, ted for services in the Mex 
ican and late wars was Quartermaster General. Mrs. Rucker was Irene 
Curtis, daughter of Lieutenant Curtis, of the infantry, and her entertaining 
daughters are the Misses Louisa and Sarah Rucker. Another daughter, 
Irene, is the wife of the lieutenant general. Edward D. Townsend, of 
Massachusetts, chief of staff to General Scott, in 1861, and later adjutant gen 
eral United States army, was ad interim Secretary of \Var, pending the con 
troversy between President Johnson and General Grant. Mrs. Townsend, 
and the Misses Townsend, and Miss Auchmity, are the ladies of his family. 
Horatio G. W T right, of Connecticut, who constructed the defense of \Vashing- 
ton, 1861, commanded the famous Sixth corps. Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Smith, 
represent him socially. 

In the list of generals of brigade are Nathan W. Brown, of New York, 
former Paymaster General, son of Jacob Brown, General in Chief of the 
Army, 1821-28. His two daughters, Virginia Duval and Susan M. Brown, 
are attractive members of society. William McK. Dunn, of Indiana, former 
Judge Advocate General. Mrs. Dunn was Miss Lanier, daughter of a New 
York banker, formerly of Indiana. Her daughter is the wife of D. R. Mc- 
Kee, agent of the Associated Press at Washington. A son, \Villiam McK. 
Dunn, is captain Second artillery, another is a planter in Virginia. 

In the list of colonels and brevet major generals, are Henry F. Clarke, of 
Pennsylvania, who Served in the artillery in the Mexican war, and was dis 
tinguished in the Subsistence Department in the late war, Mrs. Clarke, Miss 
Jones are the lady members of his family. Henry J. Hunt, of Michigan, or 
ganized and was chief of artillery of the army of the Potomac. Mrs. Hunt 

13 



194 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and the Misses Hunt complete his family. Joseph J. Reynolds, of Indiana, 
was distinguished in the battles of the army of the Cumberland, and later as 
commander of the Nineteenth army corps. The ladies of his family are Mrs. 
Reynolds, Mrs. Hayden, Miss Bainbridge. 

Next in the line are colonels and brevet brigadier generals. Edmund B. 
Alexander, of Kentucky, is the oldest living graduate of the military academy, 
having entered the infantry from that institution in 1823, distinguished in the 
Mexican war, and on recruiting, staff and administrative duties in the late 
war. His daughter, Mrs. Colonel Lieber, is very popular in society. Another 
daughter is the wife of the professor of drawing at the military academy, and 
two sons, Lieutenant Colonels Richard H. and Charles T. Alexander are sur 
geons U. S. A. Robert E. Clary was formerly Chief Quartermaster and As 
sistant to the Quartern: aster General. Mrs. Clary, Mis. Kay, and Miss Kay 
are the kdies of his family. Frederick T. Dent, of Missouri, brevetted in 
Mexico, was on the staff of General Grant in the late war. Mrs. Dent was 
formerly Miss Lynde, daughter of the late Major Lynde, U. S. A. Lawrence 
B. Graham, of Virginia, was in the battles against the Seminoles, in Mexico, 
and commander of a cavalry brigade army of the Potomac Mrs. Graham 
is very agreeable. John J. Gregg was commander of a cavalry brigade of the 
army of the Potomac. Mrs Gregg is popular in a large circle. 

Peter V. Hagner commanded the regular siege train company of ordnance 
in the battles preceding the capture of Mexico, and was in charge of pur 
chase and issue of military supplies in the late war. Mrs. Hagner is very 
agreeable. Innis N. Palmer was a distinguished corps commander of the 
late war. Mrs. Palmer is a niece of Mrs. Colonel Lawrence P. Graham. 
Her three beautiful daughters, Catharine, wife of Lieutenant H. R. Lemly, 
Third artillery, another the wife of Lieutenant Frank L. Denny, marine corps, 
and Mrs. Swift, wife of Lieutenant Eben Swift, Fifth cavalry, aid to General 
Merrill , were very popular as young ladies in Washington society. George 
Thorn was a distinguished topographical engineer, aide to General, after 
President, Franklin Pierce, in the Mexican war. Stewart Van Vliet served 
in the artillery in the Florida and Mexican wars, and was chief quartermaster 
army of the Potomac during the rebellion. He was one year at West Point 
during the term of General Grant. They became close friends, which was 
maintained through life. General Van Vliet was one of the little circle of 
army companions who played "Boston" with President Grant once a week 
of an evening at the White House for old time amusement. He is one of the 
most indefatigable and popular members of society, being seen upon all occa 
sions. Mrs. Van Vliet was Sarah Jane Brown, daughter of Major Jacob 
Brown, of the artillery, killed in the Mexican war, and after whom Fort 



RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. 195 

Brown, now Brownsville, Texas, was named. Her sister Mary married Dr. 
S. P. Moore, formerly a surgeon in the army, who went South and was Sur 
geon General in the Confederate service. Lieutenant Robert Campbell Van 
Vliet, adjutant Tenth infantry, a son, is one of the best shots in the army, hav 
ing won several prizes. Dr. Frederick C. Van Vliet resides at the General s 
summer place at Shrewbury, New Jersey, 

In the array of retired heroes of the field and staff, and their ladies, are 
Colonel Joseph Conrad, distinguished in the battles of the Army of the Cum 
berland, Mrs. and Miss Conrad; John F. Head, of the Medrcal Department, 
and Mrs. Head; John Macomb, of frontier garrison and engineer fame, Mrs. 
and the Misses Macomb; John D. Wilkins, colonel Fifth infantry, and Mrs. 
Wilkins, who was Miss Howard, of Washington ; Theodore Yates, retired 
for wounds in the line of duty, Mrs. and Miss Yates. Lieutenant Colonels 
James J. Dana and Mrs. Dana; Orlanda H. Moore; L. Sitgraves and Mrs. 
Sitgraves ; Major Joseph B. Collins and Mrs. Collins; Theodore J. Ecker- 
son. and Mrs. Eckerson; Edward McK. Hudson, Miss Hudson, Miss M. L. 
Hudson, and Miss E. McK. Hudson ; David B. McKibben, Mrs. McKibben, 
and Mrs. Herring; James McMillan, Mrs. McMillan, who was Miss Dodge, 
of Georgetown, and Mrs. Randolph and Nicholas Vedder, Mrs. Vedder, and 
Mrs. Fleming. 

In the list of retired officers of the line and their ladies, are Captains 
Thomas F. Azpell, Mrs. and the Misses Azpell ; Francis H. Bates, Mrs. 
Bates, sister of the wife of Surgeon Greenleaf, U. S. A., and Miss Katie 
Bates ; James A. Bates, Mrs. Bates ; C. Bendire, on duty at the Smithsonian 
Institution, an authority on entomology ; Charles M. Callahan, Mrs. Callahan, 
and Mrs. Crissman; George A. Armes, Mrs. Armes, and the Misses Armes; 
Robert Catlin and Mrs. Catlin, who was Miss Satterlee, daughter of a re 
tired banker, formerly residing near New York; John S. Garland, Mrs. Gar 
land, and the Misses Garland; Thomas B. Hunt, Mrs. and Miss Hunt; Gar- 
rick Mallery, of the bureau of ethnology, an authority on Indian languages, 
and Mrs. Mallery; John Miller, Mrs. Miller, and Miss Zapponi; Charles M. 
Pyne and Mrs. Pyne; Wright Rives, Mrs. Rives, and Mrs. Williams; 
Benjamin F. Rittenhouse and Mrs. Rittenhouse ; Alfred B. Taylor and Mrs. 
Taylor ; Richard W. Tyler and Mrs. Tyler; Charles J. Von Hermann and Mrs. 
Von Hermann, and Frederick Whyte, Mrs. Whyte, Miss Jones, and Miss 
Brennan. First Lieutenants Edward Allsworth, Mrs. Allsworth and Mrs. 
Washburn; Francis E. Brownell, Mrs. Brownell, and Miss Harrington; 
Robert G. Carter and Mrs. Carter ; Oscar J. Converse and Mrs. Converse; 
William A. Dinwiddie and Mrs. Dinwiddie : Richard C. Dubois and Mrs. 
Dubois ; Frank P. Gross, Mrs. Gross, Mrs. Morrow, and Miss Brass ; Rob- 



196 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ert G. Rutherford, Mrs. and Miss Rutherford, and Royal F. Whitman and 
Mrs, Whitman. 

There were twenty-five rear admirals, who made their residence in Wash 
ington during the season. These heroes of the country s glory on the high 
seas are a valuable and interesting acquisition to the naval circle in particular 
and fashionable life in general. Their social accomplishments are the accre 
tion of varied experiences at home and at the courts and in the gay circles of 
foreign lands. As a class they maintain the activity of their younger days 
and, in fact, frequently quite outdo the younger officers in instances of gal 
lantry. 

In this list, with the ladies of their families, are Thomas O. Selfridge, of 
Massachusetts, the oldest living officer of the navy, having entered it in 1818. 
Mrs. Selfridge and Mrs. Johnson; William Radford, of Virginia, commander 
of the Cumberland, but on court-martial duty when sunk by the /am Merri- 
mac, and Mrs. Radford; Samuel Philips Lee, of Virginia, at one time com 
mander of the North Atlantic blockading squadron, who intercepted General 
Hood on the Cumberland river, saving General Thomas army, and Mrs Lee. 
Thornton A. Jenkins, of Virginia, fleet captain and chief of staff of Farra- 
gut s squadron, Miss Jenkins, Alice Jenkins, an artist of merit, Carrie Jen 
kins, a society favorite; William Rogers Taylor, of Rhode Island, fleet cap 
tain with Admiral Dahlgren in the operations against Morris Island and Fort 
Sumter, and Mrs. Taylor; Charles Steedman, of South Carolina, one of the 
heroes of the many engagements along the coast, and Miss Steedman; John 
J. Almy, of Rhode Island, captor of four noted blockade running steamers 
with valuable cargoes, and destroyer of four others, and Miss Annie Almy; 
C. R. P. Rodgers, of New York, fleet captain to Admiral Dupont, and Mrs. 
Rodgers; Thomas He Patterson, of Louisiana, who led the naval support of 
McClellan s army on the York peninsula, and Mrs. Patterson; John C. How- 
ell, of Pennsylvania, a hero of both actions at Fort Fisher, Mrs. and Miss 
Maria Howell; Thomas H. Stevens, of Connecticut, distinguished in nearly 
all the engagements of the war on the lower Chesapeake and south Atlantic, 
and Mrs. Stevens ; Samuel P. Carter, of Tennessee, assigned to the com 
mand of a brigade of the loyal Tennesseeans, and distinguished in the cam 
paigns in Kentucky and Tennessee, and Mrs. Carter ; Edmund R. Colhoun, 
of Pennsylvania, conspicuous for gallantry in the operations on the southern 
coast, Mrs. and Miss Colhoun and Helen Colhoun; Clark H. Wells, of Penn 
sylvania, one of the heroes of Admiral Farragut s attack on the Mobile, Mrs. 
Wells, who was Mary Welsh, of York, Pa., and her daughter, Mrs. Ellen 
Welsh Reeder, wife of the executive officer of the Galena ; Daniel Ammen, 
of Ohio, distinguished in the attacks on Forts Sumter and Fisher, and by 



RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. 197 

President Grant, his boyhood friend, placed in charge of the development of 
a plan of interoceanic communication across the American isthmus; Andrew 
Bryson, of New York, in all the principal actions off Charleston in which the 
iron clads were engaged, and Mrs. and Miss Bryson ; John C. Febiger, of 
Pennsylvania, of the Gulf and Atlantic squadrons, Mrs. Febiger and Miss 
Johnson ; Pierce Crosby, of Pennsylvania, distinguished in the capture of 
New Orleans, on the Mississippi and south Atlantic, Mrs. Crosby, who was 
Louise Audenried, sister of the late Colonel Joseph C. Audenried, of General 
Sherman s staff; William Temple, of Vermont, who participated in the bom 
bardment and capture, of Richmond, and Mrs. Temple; John H. Upshur, of 
Virginia, active in the operations in the north and south Atlantic blockading 
squadron and Mrs. Upshur, who was widow of General Phil. Kearney ; S. 
P. Quackenbush, of New York, who covered the retreat of Burnsides army 
at Roanoke island, and Mrs. Quackenbush; Walter W. Queen, of New York, 
one of the division commanders of Porter s mortar flotilla at New Orleans 
and Vicksburg, and Mrs. Queen; P rances A. Roe, of New York, distinguish 
ed in the capture of New Orleans, and many engagements on the western 
rivers, and Mrs. Roe; John H. Russell, of Maryland, in the actions leading 
to the capture of New Orleans and Vicksburg, and Mrs. Russel, and John 
L. Worden, of New York, the commander of the Monitor when she sunk 
the Merrimac in Hampton Rhoads, March 1862, and Mrs. Worden, Grace 
Worden, and Mrs. Busbee. 

In the other grades of the line, those of the retired officers and their ladies, 
who participated in social gayeties at the capital during the season, were Com 
modore Somerville Nicholson, of New York, Mrs. and Miss Nicholson; Captain 
Andrew W. Johnson, of the District of Columbia, and Miss Johnson, and 
Commander H. De Haven Manley, and Mrs. Manley and George M. Bache 
and Lieutenant Frederick E. Upton. 

The distinguished retired members of the staff, and their ladies, who take 
part in society, are Medical Directors Charles D. Maxwell, Mrs. and Miss 
Maxwell, and William Grier ; Pay Directors George F. Cutter, Mrs. Cutter, 
and James H. Watmough, Mrs. Watmough ; Pay Inspector James N Car 
penter, and Paymaster George A. Sawyer, and Mrs. Sawyer; Chief Engi 
neers William H. Shock, Nathan B. Clark, and Mrs. Clark, W. H. Hunt, and 
W. H. Rutherford; Passed Assistant Engineer R. H. Gunnell, Mrs. Gunnell; 
Professors J. H. C. Coffin, and Mrs. Chew ; Henry H. Lockwood and Mrs. 
Lockwood, and J. E. Nourse, Mrs. Nourse, Miss Nourse; Naval Conductor 
John W. Easby and Mrs Easby; Civil Engineer W. P. S. Sanger and Mrs. 
Sanger, and Ensigns R. C. Ray and Mrs, Ray, and Edward E. Hayden and 
Mrs. Hayden. 



198 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The retired officers of the Marine Corps, and their ladies, who reside in 
Washington, are Major William B. Slack and Mrs. Slack, a niece of Senator 
Pierce, of Maryland; Major G. B. Graham, and Captain G. B. Haycock and 
Mrs. Haycock. 

Many of the retired "officers of both branches of the war-making arm of the 
government give entertainments, an4 take an active part in the social gayeties 
of the season. 




IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 199 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 

THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF CLAIMS AND THEIR LADIES THE SECRETA 
RY OF THE SENATE THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS THE CLERK 
OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES THEIR SOCIAL SUR 
ROUNDINGS. 

EXT to the chief officers of the legislative, executive, and judicial 
branches of the government in the scale of official duty and social dig- 
nity, are those upon whom rests the immediate responsibility for the 
direction of the details of administration. As a rule, they are gentleman of 
commanding abilities and experience, and have performed distinguished 
services in the various -walks of national, State, or municipal affairs. In their 
social life and surroundings, they form a prominent feature in the circle of 
official fashionable gayeties during the season. 

In the judicial system of the United States, the Court of Claims, from an off 
shoot of Congress with less power than a committee of that body and no au 
thority to give judgement against the United States, it has been created by 
later enactments a tribunal with exclusive original jurisdiction of all cases 
wherein the government has consented to be sued, and with special jurisdic 
tion in many cases involving important interests and large sums of money. 

William A. Richardson, Chief Justice of the Court of Claims, is a man of 
long experience in the theory, practice, and application of laws. In 1855 
he was one of the commissioners to revise the statutes of the State of Massa 
chusetts. He was sixteen years judge of Probate and Insolvency, and de 
clined ajudgeship of the Superior Court. He has at different times held five 
commissions, giving him a life tenure of office. During the Boutwell regime 
in the treasury department in the Grant administration, he was Assistant Sec 
retary and succeeded to the chief place when Mr. Boutwell retired. He re 
signed to go on the bench of the Court of Claims and at the close of the Arthur 
administration was raised to Chief Justice. 

The elegant mansion and social surroundings of Judge Richardson are pre 
sided over by his daughter, who is the wife of Dr. A. F. Magruder, surgeon 
in the United States Navy. As a young lady Miss Isabel Richardson was 
very popular in Washington society. Mrs. Richardson died in Paris in 1876. 
During the period of Judge Richardson s Secretaryship of the Treasury she 
was one of the prominent ladies of the cabinet circle. 

In the personnel of judges of the court, Charles W. Nott, of New York, is 



200 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the senior on the list. He took an early part in Republican politics. He was 
a member of the committee which had charge of the Cooper Institute demon 
stration in 1860, upon which occasion Abraham Lincoln, in the flush of the 
prestige of his vigorous senatorial contest in the field against Douglass,, made 
the great speech, which opened the way to his nomination and election to the 
Presidency the same year. Judge Nott, after service in the war, was appointed 
to the bench of the Court of Claims, among the last acts of President Lincoln s 
administration. Mrs. Nott, who entertains during the season, is popular in 
society. 

Glenni W. Scofield is the most widely known member of the Court. He 
represented one of the northwestern districts of Pennsylvania in Congress as 
early as 1862, and was conspicuous not only as a legislator, but for his legal 
learning. He was one of the intimate friends of President Lincoln. An in 
cident in his acquiantance illustrates the kindly methods of the President. A 
private soldier in one of the companies from the Representative s district hav 
ing stepped out of the ranks and knocked down his captain, by a court-martial 
was sentenced to the Dry Tortugas. Political pressure compelled the Repre 
sentative to see the authorities to endeavor to secure a pardon. Representa 
tive Scofield called upon the President and explained his case. The President 
dryly remarked "so your man knocked his captain down. Now if you will 
just get Congress to pass a law giving a private soldier the right to knock his 
captain down, then I will be able to see my way to getting your friend re 
leased. " The Representative, drawing the moral of the President s suggestion, 
had nothing more to say. Mrs. Scofield was Laura M. Tanner, daughter of 
Archibald Tanner, one of the early settlers and merchants of northwestern 
Pennsylvania. Her daughter Ellie is a young lady of quiet manners. This 
interesting family has long been prominent in the social life at the capital. 

Judge Lawrence Weldon, of Ohio, was appointed to the bench of the Court 
of Claims by President Arthur. He was one of the early friends of President 
Lincoln, a lawyer by profession, and declining political preferment until ap 
pointed to his present place, divided his time between important litigation and 
the professorship of law in the Wesleyan University of Illinois. Mrs. Weldon, 
who is a lady of literary instincts, has around her a wide circle of congenial 
lady friends. She is assisted in her social affairs by her married daughter, 
who visits Washington durirg the season. 

Judge John Davis, of Massachusetts, is the youngest member of the Court 
of Claims. He was thirty-four years of age when he was placed there in the 
last days of the Arthur administration. He was assistant counsel of the 
United States before the French American claims commission, and later As 
sistant Secretary of State. Mrs. Davis was Miss Frelinghuysen. daughter of 



IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 2OI 

Arthur s Secretary of State, and has been a great favorite and much admired in 
Washington social circles as the daughter of a distinguished Senator of the 
United States and Premier of an administration, and also as the wife of an 
Assistant Secretary of State, and now in the judicial circle. 

The retired members of the court are Chief Justice Charles D. Drake, 
formerly a Senator of the United States from Missouri. He was conspicuous 
in State and national affairs in those days. Mrs. Drake and daughter, Mrs. 
Westcott, a widow, compose his family. Judge Edward G. Loring, another 
retired member of the court, was appointed by President Buchanan. He 
was previously judge of probate in Suffolk county, Massachusetts, and was 
legislated out of office by the "Abolitionist " majority in the Legislature of 
that State for issuing a warrant for the arrest and return of a fugitive slave. 
The Misses Loring are very well known in society. 

Anson G. McCook, the Secretary of the Senate, belongs to the Ohio family 
of that name, represented by Edwin G. McCook, a well-known cavalry officer 
of the late war; Robert S. McCook, commander in the Navy; Governor 
McCook, of Colorado; Rev. Mr. McCook, of the Presbyterian ministry, and 
Alexander McD. McCoek, colonel Sixth infantry. He was himself a gallant 
officer in the army of the Cumberland. Secretary McCook, at the close of 
the war, having settled in New York, in company with General Joshua T. 
Owen, of Philadelphia, established The Law Reporter, for the publication of 
legal notices and advertisements of the New York courts. He was elected to 
several Congresses from the "Fifth Avenue Hotel district," famous for its 
men of wealth, ladies of fashion, and politicians. In 1883, upon the return 
of the Senate to Republican control, he succeeded in effecting a concentration 
of votes in his favor for the secretaryship of that body, against George C. 
Gorham, of California, one of the shrewd men of national politics, a friend 
of ex- United States Senator Conkling, and a stalwart of pronounced type. 
Mrs. McCook was Miss McCook, of New York, a cousin of her husband, to 
whom she was married in 1886. She is a lady of high education, fine social 
traits, and prominently known in society at the capital. 

General John B. Clark, clerk of the House of Representatives, was well 
known in Congressional circles as a member of that body for five terms, be 
ginning in 1873. His father was a Representative from 1854 to 61. During 
the two months triangular contest for the speakership of the Thirty-sixth 
Congress he forced the fight by introducing a resolution declaring that no man 
should be elected speaker who endorsed Helper s book, which was aimed at 
Mr. Sherman. General Clark is a grand nephew of Governor James Clark, 
of Kentucky, and Christopher Clark, of Virginia, a Representative during 
Jefferson s presidency. His three interesting daughters, Augusta, Kate and 



202 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Mariana, the latter to be a debutante next season, preside over his household, 
their mother, who was Miss Buckner, of Kentucky, being deceased. One 
son, Charles B. Clark, resides in New Mexico; andanother, E. Buckner Clark, 
is connected with the United States Geological Survey. 

At the head of the list of Assistant Secretaries of executive departments, is 
Governor James D. Porter, of Tennessee. Before his selection by Secretary 
Bayard, to take charge of the important details affecting the personnel of the 
diplomatic and consular service, he had been judge legislator, member of 
the Constitutional Convention, Vice President of the Historical Society of Ten 
nessee, one of the Peabody Board of Trustees, Governor of his State, President 
of the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad. He is a descendant of John Por 
ter, a settler on the Connecticut river soon after the landing of the Pilgrims, 
and the first of the name in the United States. The family successively re 
moved to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, and finally into Tennessee, 
where they have lived for several generations. Mrs. Porter, who is very 
popular in Washington, was Miss Sue Dunlap, daughter of General John H. 
Dunlap, of West Tennessee, an early pioneer and distinguished soldier of the 
Florida war, in which he commanded a company of Tennesseeans at nineteen 
years of age, and later was a brigadier general. She is a niece of General 
Richard G. Dunlap, minister of the Republic of Texas to the United States 
during the presidency of Mirabo B. Lamar, a relative of the Secretary of the 
Interior, also a niece of Judge W. C. Dunlap, of Memphis, former represent 
ative and judge, and of Hugh W. Dunlap, of Louisiana. Her daughter is 
the wife of Dr. W. G. Bibb, of Montgomery, Alabama. Her son Charles D. 
Porter, is a lawyer of Nashville. Dudley Porter is a farmer near Paris, Ten 
nessee, and Kennedy Porter is a young man at school. 

Alvey A. Adee, of New York, who is the Second Assistant Secretary of State, 
is thoroughly posted in diplomatic matters. He was Secretary of Legation, 
and Charge d Affaires in Spain during the missions of General Sickles and 
ex-Attorney General Gushing. During his eight years residence at the 
Castillian court, he was a spectator of the usual panorama of Spanish politics, 
which embraced the outbreak of four revolutions, the elevation and downfall 
of two kings, five presidents of the Republic, and thirty-nine prime ministers. 
Assistant Secretary Adee being a bachelor, the social affairs of his household are 
attended to by Mrs. David Graham Adee, his brother s wife, a daughter of 
Rufus Skeels, a prominent citizen of Newburg, New York. 

John Bassett Moore, of Wilmington, belongs to one of the old famlies of 
Kent county, Delaware. He is a son of Dr. J. A. Moore, a prominent phy 
sician of Felton. Mr. Moore is a man of fine legal attainments, a bachelor, 
and in great demand socially. 



IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PREDEDENCE. 203 

Governor Hugh S. Thompson was occupying the gubernatorial chair of 
South Carolina for the second time when invited by the President to accept 
the post of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. He had previously been 
State Superintendent of Education for three terms. His grandfather was 
Chancellor of South Carolina, and his uncle, General Waddy Thompson, was 
prominently known in Congressional affairs and Whig politics, and was Min 
ister to Mexico. Mrs. Thompson was Lize Clarkson, of one of the historical 
families of the Palmetto State, and in Washington society has taken a promi 
nent part. 

Isaac H. Maynard, who was raised from Second Comptroller to Assistant 
Secretary upon the elevation of Mr. Fairchild to the chief place in the De 
partment of the Treasury, is a native of Bovina, New York, situated among 
the headwaters of the Delaware river. He was Deputy Attorney General of 
his State when placed at the head of one of the Comptroller s bureaus in 
1885. In the intricate duties of deciding questions of law under the revenue 
statutes he has manifested soundness of judgment upon the profound economic 
questions involved. Mrs. Maynard, a very pleasant lady in society, was 
Margaret M. Marvin, of Delhi, New York, daughter of Charles Marvin, 
president of the Delaware National Bank. Her daughter, P anny, is still young. 

The direction of the great army of thirty thousand postmasters and double 
that number of other employe s of the postal service is under Adlai E. Steven 
son, of Illinois. He is a gentleman of polished manners, affable and ap 
proachable. He represented one of the Illinois districts in the Forty-fourth 
and Forty-sixth Congresses, and was then one of the men of mark on the 
Democratic side of the House. Mrs. Stevenson was Lettie Green, daughter 
of Rev. Lewis W. Green, president of Centre college, at Danville, Kentucky. 
Her husband here received his education, and was a classmate of Senator 
Blackburn. 

A. Leo Knott, of Maryland, Second Assistant Postmaster General, had 
been States attorney three terms, legislator twelve years, and the Maryland 
member of the Democratic National Executive Committee four years when 
called to the assistance of the Postmaster General in managing the contracts 
for the transportation of the people s letters. Mrs. Knott, who was Virginia 
Keenan, is the daughter of Anthony Keenan, one of the old merchants of 
Baltimore She has made herself very popular in Washington society. 

Henry R. Harris, who was a Representative in three Congresses, beginning 
with the Forty-fourth and again in the Forty-ninth, entered the Third Assist 
ant Postmaster Generalship immediately after the expiration of his Congress 
ional services. He was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, and 
is a man of affairs. Mrs. Harris, a Washington lady, was Miss Kate V. 
Moses a very attractive member of resident society. 



204 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Henry L. Muldrow, of Mississippi, first Assistant Secretary of the Interior, 
who was a member of several Congresses, was invited into the department by 
Secretary Lamar. He is an officer of decided administrative ability, par 
ticularly in the performance of the complicated duties growing out of the vast 
internal affairs of the nation. Mrs. Muldrow was Eliza Vick Ervin, daughter 
of James W. Ervin, a Mississippi planter. Her daughter Louise Muldrow, 
is an accomplished young lady and assists her mother in her social duties. 

David L. Hawkins, of Missouri, a lawyer of prominence, and circuit judge 
at Cape Giiardeau, performs the duties of Second Assistant Secretary of the 
Interior. Mrs. Hawkins, a lady of agreeable manners, was Miss Tippie S. 
Knott, of an old Maryland family. Her father settled in Missouri in 1834. 
Her mother was Virginia Block. Her son, Charles N. Hawkins, superin 
tends the family estate in Scott county, Missouri. 

The Solicitor General, the second officer of the Department of Justice, is 
George A. Jenks, of Pennsylvania, a man of legal acumen and experience, and 
of leading political importance in the affairs of his State. He is a native of 
Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, and served in Congress 1875-7. In 1880 he 
was Democratic candidate for Supreme Judge of Pennsylvania. In 1885 he 
was Assistant Secretary of the Interior, which he resigned to take charge of 
the legal business of John E. DuBois, nephew and heir of the late John Du- 
Bois, the millionaire lumberman of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In 1886 he 
was invited to accept his present high place. Mrs. Jenks was Mary Mabon, 
daughter of Thomas Mabon, a large flouring, woolen and lumber mill owner. 
Her daughter, Miss Emma Jenks, is a graduate of the Blairsville Seminary, 
Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jenks and Miss Jenks, while naturally of retiring inc i- 
nations, fill a prominent place in social affairs. 

William A. Maury, the senior Assistant Attorney General, springs from old 
time Virginia stock. He was partner in the practice of law with James 
Mandeville Carlisle, the firm being one of the most prominent in Washington, 
when he was appointed in 1882 to his present position by President Arthur. 
His father was John Walker Maury, mayor of Washington, 1852-4. The 
family is of Huguenot origin and connected wLh the Fontaines. One cf his 
ancestors, Rev. James Maury, who was born 1717, and is burried in Grace 
church yard, Albemarle county, Virginia, conducted one of the early grammar 
schools of the colony, and educated some of the finest scholars ever produced 
by the " Old Dominion. " Among his pupils was Thomas Jefferson. He was 
also a party to the celebrated Parson s case, upon which Patrick Henry made 
his speech on a suit to recover tithes and which was one of the events which 
aroused the colonial blood against royal oppression. Rev. Walker Maury, 
this ancestor s son, established a school at Williamsburg, which maintained 



IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 205 

N5 5$2*3 r Qsv^ 

the same high reputation. When Jefferson went abroad, on tile recommenda 
tion of Mr. Madison, he placed his two nephews, the Carr s, under his tuition. 
John Randolph, of Roanoke, was also one of his pupils. A son of James 
Maury was appointed by President Washington as Consul to Liverpool, which 
he held until turned out by President Jackson, thirty years after. The Assist 
ant Attorney General is a cousin of Anne Maury, of New York, author of 
"Memoirs of Huguenot families." 

Mrs. Maury was Elizabeth Herndon Maury, fourth cousin of her husband, 
and daughter of Commodore Maury, author of "Physical Geography of the 
Sea," and other valuable contributions to hydrographic science. Her mother 
was sister of Captain William Lewis Herndon, of the United States Navy, the 
heroic commander of the merchant steamer Central America, when she 
foundered off the American coast. Captain Herndon was the father of Presi 
dent Arthur s wife. 

The Assistant Attorney General for the Department of the Interior, Zach. 
Montgomery, is a man of force and experience. He is a native of Missouri, 
but crossed the plains in 1850, settling in California, where he has since re 
sided, ct first dividing his time between mining and law. He had been legis 
lator and district attorney when called to his present place in 1885, by his old 
college mate and friend, Attorney General Garland. His confirmation was 
opposed in the Senate on account of his views on the school question, which 
led to the publication of his work on "The school question from a parental 
and non-sectarian standpoint." Mrs. Montgomery was Ellen Evoy, daughter 
of James Evoy, one of the early settlers of Missouri. Her mother, who was 
then a widow, with her two sons and daughters, the present Mrs. Montgomery 
one of them, and friends braved the dangers and toils of a journey across the 
plains in 1849, and settled in Marysville, California. Her daughters, Mary 
and Jennie, have j ust entered society and are very attractive. Another daughter 
is Sister Seraphica of the Roman Catholic sisterhood of St Joseph for teach 
ing and nursing and a member of the Mother House of that order. Her 
three sons, John Montgomery is a scientist and electrician, Richard is collector 
of customs at San Diego, on the Mexican frontier, and James is attending 
college at Georgetown. 

A ssistant Attorney General Robert A. Howard, on duty in the Department, 
is also a lawyer of experience. He is a native of Philadelphia, and was ap 
pointed, district attorney of the territory of Nebraska by President Buchanan 
1859. After serving in the Union army, on the close of the war he settled 
at Little Rock, Arkansas, as a lawyer, served in the Legislature 1870-1, and 
entered his present duties in 1885. 

Edwin E. Bryant, of Madison, Assistant Attorney General for the General 



206 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Post Office, a Wisconsin lawyer of thirty years practice, was of the firm of 
Vilas & Bryant, the Postmaster General being the other member. Mrs. 
Bryant was Louisa Boynton, daughter of Noah Boynton, one of the early 
pioneers, and a man of influence in northern Illinois. Her three interesting 
daughters, Elva, Mary, and Myrto, add to the charms of their lather s social 
surroundings. 

The officers of the Supreme Court of the United States are not only part of 
the court circle, but are prominent in the fashionable life of the capital. The 
clerk of the court, James H. McKenney, and his beautiful wife, who was 
Virginia D. Walker, of one of the oldest families in Prince George s county, 
Maryland, entertain handsomely in their circle of friends, in the finest part 
of the city. The court reporter, J. C. Bancroft Davis, Assistant Secretary of 
State, Diplomatic Minister, and Judge of the Court of Claims, and Mrs. Davis, 
one of the most entertaining of ladies, have long been known in society. 

Colonel John G. Nicolay, marshal of the court, a German by birth, but a 
citizen of Illinois, and well known as private secretary to President Lincoln 
and author of his life, became a widower in 1886. His daughter Helen will 
enter society and preside over the household of her father. 

Next in the scale of official and social dignities are the civil chiefs of 
bureaus, who receive their appointments from the President of the United 
States, and are confirmed by the Senate, and who, with the ladies of their 
families, participate more or less prominently in the social life of the capital. 
Those taking precedence in this degree of the social scale are the chiefs of the 
quasi-independent bureaus : Norman J. Colman, of Missouri, Commissioner 
of Agriculture ; Thomas E. Benedict, of New York, Public Printer, and 
Spencer F. Baird, of Pennsylvania, Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries 

The next in line, by Executive appointment, are the chiefs of the adminis 
trative bureaus of the Treasury Department: James W. Hyatt, of Connec .i- 
cut, Treasurer of the United States; William L. Trenholm, of South Carolina, 
Comptroller of the Currency; Joseph S. Miller, West Virginia, Commissioner 
of Internal Revenue; James P. Kimball, of Pennsylvania, Director of the 
Mint; Frank M. Thorn, Superintendent of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic 
Survey; Dr. John B. Hamilton, Supervising Surgeon General ; Milton J. 
Durham, of Kentucky, First, and Sigourney Butler, of Massachusetts, Second 
Comptrollers; John S. McCalmont, of Pennsylvania, Commissioner of Cus 
toms; General William S. Rosecrans, of California, Register of the Treasury; 
J. G. Chenowith, of Texas, First; W T illiam A. Day, of Illinois, Second; 
John S. Williams, of Indiana, Third; Charles M. Shelley, of Alabama, Fourth; 
Anthony Eickhoff, of New York, Fifth, and Daniel McConnell, of Ohio, Sixth 
Auditors; M. E. Bell, of Iowa, Supervising Architect; Edward O. Graves, 



IX THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 207 

of New York, Chief of Bureau of Engraving and Printing ; James A. Dumont, 
of New York, Supervising Inspector General ; W. F. Switzler, of Missouri, 
Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, and $. T. Kimball, General Superintendent 
Life Saving Service. 

The chiefs of the great administrative bureaus of the Department of the 
Interior are William A. J. Sparks, of Illinois, Commissioner of the General 
Land Office; Benton J. Hall, of Iowa, Commissioner of Patents; General 
John C. Black, of Illinois, Commissioner of Pensions; J. D. C. Atkins, of 
Tennessee, Commissioner of Indian Affairs; Nathaniel H. R. Dawson, of 
Alabama, Commissioner of Education; General Joseph E. Johnston, of Vir 
ginia, Commissioner of Railroads; Major John W. Powell, Director of the 
Geological Survey; Carroll D. Wright, of Massachusetts, Commissioner of 
Labor. These officials, with the ladies of their families, constitute an impor 
tant circle in the sphere of official social life. 

The bureau chiefs of the Department of War are detailed officers of suit 
able rank from the staff departments of the army. The chiefs of the great 
administrative bureaus of the Department of the Navy are officers of the navy, 
the chief having the relative rank of commodore. In both instances the offi 
cers enjoy, with their ladies, the precedence of their military or naval rank. 

In the State and Post Office Departments the three assistants represent the 
bureau administration. 

The Civil Commissioners of the District of Columbia, \Villiam B. Webb, 
president, and Samuel E. Wheatley, of the District; the Chief Justice, Edward 
F. Bingham, of Ohio; Associate Justices Alexander B. Hagner, Walter S. 
Cox, Charles P. James, and William Merrick, of the District of Columbia, 
and Martin V. Montgomery, of Michigan, and Justice Arthur McArthur, re 
tired, with their ladies, represent the municipal government and judiciary in 
the social world of the capital. 




2O8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. 

WHO THEY ARE THE LADIES OF THEIR FAMILIES THEIR PLACE IN SO 
CIETY THE CITY PRESS. 

fN the busy world of the capital, the Washington correspondent occupies 
a two-fold place. Professionally upon the merits of his own individual 
ity, integrity of character, sagacity and prudence in the use of his 
opportunities and information, he has the entree of all official circles, and more 
or less freedom of intercourse with public men of all degrees. Socially, with 
the ladies of his family, he occupies a position in fashionable or home life to 
suit his domestic surroundings, tastes, or inclinations. His personal relations, 
which are of his own creation, are often of the closest and most confidential 
character with officials from the highest to the lowest place in public station. 
The scope of his acquaintance with men of affairs is national. Those who 
have enjoyed greater length of service and experience, cover a period beyond 
the narrow span of the average longevity of a single generation of official life. 
Men of eminence and merit have come into prominence, have played their 
parts and have given place to others in the mutations of American politics and 
public duty. The Washington correspondents alone remain as landmarks in 
the procession of men and events in national affairs and social life at the 
capital. 

President Cleveland was the first of the chief magistrates to recognize the 
Washington correspondents as a class in the list of invited guests to the state 
levees at the executive mansion. Previously their social recognition there was 
personal rather than professional. Individually in society they receive consid 
eration without reference to the usual conventionalities of rank and surround 
ings which govern the intercourse of persons of simple official and social station. 
Many of them enter more or less prominently into the official and unofficial 
social life of the capital, live handsomely, and give social entertainments. 

Taken in the chronological order of service at Washington, William B. 
Shaw, of the Boston Transcript, is "the Nestor" of the corps of Washing 
ton correspondents. He started in life as a printer, at Towanda, Pennsylva 
nia. With his brother he published a newspaper edited by David Wilmot, 
distinguished in the anti-slavery struggles in Congress as the author of the 
Wilmot proviso: He came to Washington in 1850 and began at the case in 
the Government printing office, and writing letters for Forney s Pennsylvanian. 
At the commencement of Pierce s administration he was engaged by James 
Gordon Bennett as Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, 



THE -WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. 209 

which position he held for ten years. During that time, 1852, he sent to the 
Herald the first telegraphic news despatches ever sent from the capital. He 
enjoyed confidential relations with the statesmen of that period without regard 
to sections or politics. He has ever since been an active correspondent, having 
represented the Boston Transcript for twenty-six years. He is recognized as 
one of the most experienced and sagacious members of the profession. 

Mrs. Shaw, a native of Washington, married in 1858, has long been well 
known in a large circle in official and social life. She is the daughter of Ed 
mund Burke, of Boston, an editor of high reputation in his day. 

H. V. Boynton, of the Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette, one of the widely 
known Washington correspondents, a native of Berkshire, Massachusetts, is 
a son of Rev. Charles C. Boynton, during the Speakership of Schuyler Colfax 
chaplain of the House of Representatives. After a military education in 
Kentucky, and serving in the college faculty, Mr. Boynton entered the ser 
vice as major Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, rising to Lieutenant Colonel in 
1864. When mustered out he went into the field as correspondent of the 
Cincinnati Gazette, and came to Washington in 1865 to take charge of that 
bureau. Mrs. Boynton was Helen Augusta Mason, daughter of T. B. Mason, 
of Cincinnati, and niece of Lowell Mason, the celebrated composer of church 
music. 

The author, who is a native of Pennsylvania, began journalism in 1860, 
writing for newspapers from Harrisburg. In 1862 he was sent by the Neiv 
York Herald to the headquarters of General Grant, in West Tennessee, and 
accompanied that officer as correspondent in all his campaigns, terminating in 
the surrender of Vicksburg. In July, 1863, he was sent to Washington, but 
after a few weeks was again ordered into the field. He was on editorial duty 
in the winter of 1864-5, dividing his time between New York and Washing 
ton, when he was sent as correspondent to Europe, Egypt, Suez canal, Afri 
can coast, India, Ceylon, Australia, Van Dieman s Land, and New Zealand. 
In 1866 returning to Washington, he remained until the winter of 1868, when 
he was with General Sheridan in his winter campaign against the southern 
Indians. In 1869 he was again on foreign service, writing up " San Domingo, 
with a view to annexation, and visiting the isles of the Antillies. Returning 
to Washington in 1870, he was commissioned by President Grant to investigate 
the consulates of the United States Returning to Washington December, 
1872, he has remained there since, representing at different times leading 
metropolitan journals east and west Mrs. Keim was Jennie A. Owen, 
daughter of Galusha Owen, of Hartford, Connecticut, of Welsh extraction 
on her father s side, and on her mother s side descended from William Deni- 
son, a settler of Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1631, who returned to England, 



2IO SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

was captain under the Protector Cromwell, at the battle of Naseby, where he 
was wounded, and returning to America, having married Lady Anne Borrade!!, 
who nursed him during his wounds, settled at Stonington, Connecticut, and 
became distinguished in colonial affairs. Mrs. Keim has two daughters enter 
ing their teens, Eli/abeth Randolph and Harriet Virginia Keim. 

James R. Young, of the Philadelphia Evening Star, who took his primary 
lessons in journalism under John W. Forney, came to Washington in 1866, 
as chief correspondent of the New York Tribune. In 1870 he was one of 
the founders of the Philadelphia Evening Star, which he has always repre 
sented. He is also Chief Executive Clerk U. S. Senate. Mrs. Young was 
Mary Barclay, daughter of John M. Barclay, Journal Clerk of the House of 
Representatives, 1847-74, having been elected the year Abraham Lincoln en 
tered that body, and author of Barclay s Parliamentary Digest. 

Littleton Quinton Washington, of the New Orleans Picayune, a son of 
Lund Washington, an early resident of Washington city, and an accountant 
in the U. S. Treasury, is a direct descendant of Lawrence Washington, 
brother of John Washington, the ancestor of General George Washington. 
Mr. Washington, while a clerk in the Treasury department, wrote voluntary con 
tributions for the Washington Union, the Democratic organ. In 1855-7 he 
was deputy collector of customs at San Francisco. In 1858 he became cor 
respondent of the Richmond Examiner, over the signature "Ariel." In 1 860- 1 
he acted in concert with the southern leaders, and upon secession went South 
and entered the army. In 1867 he returned to Washington. His "Notes 
at the Capitol," for the National Intelligencer, were widely copied. He also 
continued his correspondence for the London Telegraph. He has represented 
the Picayune for many years. He has a large acquaintance with public men, 
and is well posted on the inside of political movements of nearly three decades. 

David Ritchie McKee, the agent of the Associated Press, a native of West 
Virginia, and a Californian by education, began active journalism in Washing- 
ton in 1867, as assistant on the Associated Press, and as correspondent of 
Pacific coast newspapers. He is a grandson of John McKee, founder of 
McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Mrs. McKee is a daughter of Judge Advocate 
General W. McKee Dunn, U. S. A. Her maternal grandfather was J. F. D. 
Lanier, the distinguished banker and financier of New York. Sidney Lanier, 
the poet, is a relative in the southern branch. Mr. and Mrs. McKee live 
elegantly, and take part in the fashionable life of the "West End." 

Frank A. Richardson, after a preliminary experience in Baltimore journal 
ism, came to Washington about 1867, representing the Baltimore Associated 
Press, and later took charge of the Baltimore Sun bureau. 

William C. McBride, who served in the celebrated "Round-head" regi- 



THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. 21 1 

ment of Pennsylvania in the war, entered journalism in Chicago in 1868, came 
to Washington 1869, as city editor on Forney s Chronicle, in 1874 he was on the 
Star, and in 1876 took charge of the Washington bureau of the Cincinnati 
Enquirer. Mrs. McBride was Ella Davidson, daughter of Daniel Davidson, 
one of the early families of Washington. Their daughter, Lillian, a grad 
uate of the Washington high school, 1887, will soon enter society. Another 
daughter, Jessie, is in her teens. 

Jacob J. Noah, of the Chicago Herald, and Denver Tribune- Republican, is 
a native of New York, and son of Mordecai M. Noah, a Washington corre 
spondent of 1829, and for nearly fifty years one of the most distinguished 
American journalists. He came to Washington in 1869 as representative of 
the New York Democrat, and has since represented at different times some of the 
leading papers of the Union. Mrs. Noah was Eliza B. Skillman, of Baton 
Rouge, Louisiana, grand-daughter of Alexander Sterling, alcalde of that 
place under Spanish rule. Her mother, Anna Stirling, was at school in New 
Orleans when General Jackson fought the battle of New Orleans, January, 
1815, three of her brothers being in that conflict. 

Herbert A. Preston, of the New York Herald, a native of Massachusetts, 
having learned the art of printing, in 1861 being in Cincinnati, joined the 
Second, loyal, Kentucky volunteers, of which he became quartermaster. In 
1866, from service on the Cincinnati Enquirer, he came to Washington on the 
city press, and in 1870 became Washington correspondent of the Ntw York 
Herald. Mrs. Preston was Annie E. McNabb, of Baltimore, whose reputa 
tion as a writer was well established in her newspaper letters over the sou 
briquet "Leigh Howard." 

E. B. Wight, of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, a native of Massachusetts, edu 
cated for the bar, entered active journalism in Chicago in 1867, and came to 
Washington in charge of the Chicago Tribune, in 1870, which post he filled 
with great efficiency for sixteen years. Mrs. Wight is a daughter of Colonel 
W. W. Clapp, managing owner of the Boston Journal. She is a lady of high 
education and intellectual gifts. 

Edmund Hudson, of the Boston Herald, a native of Massachusetts, began 
active life as a reporter on the Boston Journal \\\ 1868, and in 1872 came to 
Washington to represent the Boston Herald. He is one of the blight writers 
of the corps of Washington correspondents. In 1883 he married Mary Clem- 
mer, now deceased, one of the best known lady correspondents and author of 
"Poems of Life and Nature," and several popular novels and other works. 

T. C. Crawford, a native of Michigan, represents the New York World. 
The St. Louis Journal sent him to Washington in 1872. Mrs. Crawford was 
Inez Joyce, daughter of a Vermont Representative in Congress, and a lady 
widely known in society and charitable work. 



212 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

John M. Carson, of the Philadelphia Ledger, began his career as a local 
reporter on Forney s Pennfytoanian, entered the Twenty-seventh Pennsyl 
vania volunteers in 1861 as lieutenant, and rose to captain. After the war he 
resumed journalism, in 1873, coming to Washington as editor of the National 
Republican. A year later he became assistant, and soon after chief of the 
New York Times bureau, which he resigned in 1884, retaining his connection 
with the Ledger. Mrs. Carson was Annie Lavinia Miller, daughter of John 
J. Miller, one of the prominent citizens of Philadelphia. Their daughter, Ade 
laide Virginia, now in her teens, displays remarkable talent for music and 
drawing. John Miller Carson, Jr., a graduate of West Point, is a soldierly 
looking lieutenant in the Fifth Cavalry. 

Major Selden N. Clark, of the New York Tribune, a native of New York, 
enlisted when a boy in the Twelfth Wisconsin volunteers, and was later 
lieutenant Sixty-fourth United States Colored Troops. He was breveted 
major for services. In 1874 he came to Washington and 1878 became cor 
respondent of the Tribune. Mrs. Clark was Mary Coats, daughter of a 
planter of Prince George county, Virginia. 

Peter V. DeGraw, manager of the United Press, began life as a telegraph 
operator, becoming one of the most rapid manipulators of the key in the 
United States. In 1875 he operated the leased wires of the Associated Press, 
and a year later became one of the reportorial staff. He was agent of the 
Western Associated Press until re-consolidated, and in 1884 assumed his 
present duties. Mrs. DeGraw was Emma L. Doerr, daughter of Henry 
Doerr, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia. She is a lady of very attractive 
manners. 

Charles Nordhoff. editorial correspondent of the New York Herald, after a 
literary career of prominence in California and New York, in 1876 came to 
Washington in charge of the Herald bureau. Mrs. Nordhoff and her two 
attractive daughters take a prominent part in the society life of the capital, 
and entertain handsomely. 

H. B. Macfarland, of the Philadelphia Record, a son of the late Joseph 
Macfarland, one of the prominent Washington correspondents during and 
after the war, entered Washington journalism in 1879, as assistant on the 
Boston Herald, which he still combines with his duties on the Record. 

Jules Guthridge, of the New York Herald staff, is one of the courtly 
younger members of the correspondent corps. He is a grandson of the first 
Baptist minister to locate in Ohio, and was designed by his parents for the 
Baptist ministry. In 1864, at thirteen, he ran away from school, joining 
an Ohio regiment as drummer boy, and went through a four months cam 
paign in Virginia. He studied telegraphy, and was the alternate of Thomas 



THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. 213 

A. Edison, the famous electrician, in receiving Associated Press despatches at 
Cincinnati. He became a reporter on the Cincinnati Gazette, and in 1880 
came to Washington, since representing influential journals East and West. 
Mrs. Guthridge was Anna Sterling, daughter of the late Dr. Sterling, an 
early physician of prominence at Washington. She is a lady of modest and 
engaging manners, and interested in social affairs. 

E. G. Dunnell, of the New York Times, began newspaper life as a roller 
boy on a country paper, and reached the prominence of Albany correspondent 
in 1878, and Washington correspondent 1881. Mrs. Dunnell was Marie C. 
Fish, daughter of Oscar Fish, of New London, Connecticut. 

George E. Gilliland, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, began service as a tele- 
graph operator in the home office. He organized the news bureau of local 
correspondence in Indiana during the labor strikes in 1877, and came to 
Washington in 1881. Mrs. Gilliland was Aileen Buskirk, daughter of A. W. 
Buskirk, of Portsmouth, Ohio. 

Charles F. Towle, of the Boston Traveller, who was transferred from Bos 
ton to Washington journalism in 1881, is not only a bright writer, but a hu 
morous conversationalist. Mrs. Towle is a very stylish and attractive lady 
from Boston. 

Fred. Perry Powers began his career on the Springfield^la.ss.} Republican, 
in 1872. After service in Boston, in 1876 he went to Chicago. He there had 
four years experience on the reportorial corps, and two years on the editorial 
staff, when in 1882 he came to Washington to take charge of the Washington 
bureau of the Chicago Times. Mrs. Powers was Ella X. Davis, daughter of 
Lucius B. Davis, proprietor of the Newport (R. I.) A ews, one of the oldest 
journals in the United States. 

Robert M. Lamer, of the Baltimore Sun, began reportorial work on the 
city press in 1877, and in 1882 became a member of the Washington staff of 
the Baltimore Sun. Since 1885, he has also represented the Charleston News 
and Courier. His mother, for a number of years, wrote Washington letters 
to the " Mothers Journal," published in Boston about twenty years ago. 

M. G. Seckendorff, of the New York Tribune, belongs to a German family 
of distinction. He came to Washington as one of the Tribune staff in 1882. 
Mrs. Seckendorff is a pleasant member of the ladies of the circle of corre 
spondents. 

Orlando Oscar Stealey, a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana, began life in a 
printing office, and made his first hit as a journalist in an account of the battle 
of Nashville, which secured him a position on the Louisville Courier. He 
had charge of the city department of the Courier for a year, when in 1883 
he was placed in charge of the Washington bureau. Mrs. Stealey, a lady of 
fmp cn^ial traifc -uras T.nllip .miprlpv. rirnirrhter of Tolvn SViPrlev. of Texas. 



214 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

George Martin, of the Philadelphia Press, a native of Western Pennsylva 
nia, entered journalism as a "local," and later as a letter writer from New 
York for the Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph, iSyp- So. After a visit to Eu 
rope in 1 88 1 he settled in Chicago on the News, and in 1883 came to Wash 
ington, in his present place. 

Charles S. Elliott, a native of Connecticut, who began life as a journalist 
on the New Haven Palladium, in 1879 was on the Parisian, of Paris, France, 
and in 1884 came to Washington as correspondent of the Commercial Adver 
tiser, and other influential journals. 

Frank G. Carpenter, of the American Press Association, entered journalism 
a few years ago as correspondent of the Cleveland Leader, his letters over the 
signature of "Carp" attracting attention. Mrs. Carpenter, who is from 
Mansfield, Ohio, is a lady of fine intellect and extensive information. 

Charles W. Knapp, of the Missouri Republican, after a university course, 
read law, as a preparation for journalism, which he began in 1867. His father, 
John Knapp, is the largest stockholder in the Republican. Mr. Knapp, who 
also holds a large block of stock, passed several winters on duty in Washing 
ton before taking charge of the bureau, in 1885. Mrs. Knapp is a daughter 
of R. C. Shackelford, of St. Louis, and grand-daughter of Robert Trimble, 
cf Kentucky, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1826-8. 

Richard Nixon, of the New Orleans Times -Democrat, from an editorial 
writer in the home office, came to Washington to represent that paper in 1886. 
The marriage of Agnes Dolph, daughter of the senior Senator from Oregon, 
to Mr. Nixon, was one of the brilliant social events of the year. As Miss 
Dolph, she was one of the belles of the season. She received the highest 
education, and passed some months traveling in Europe. 

Some of the other members of the corps are A. W. Lyman, of the 
New York Sun, who after serving in the home office, was sent to Wash 
ington; John S. Schriver, of the Baltimore American, who beginning as 
dramatic critic, has more recently displayed great activity in the ranks of the 
Washington specials; Charles M. Pepper, of the Chicago Tribune; Walter 
B. Stevens, of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; Richard Weightman, New 
York Star, an able editorial writer, grandson of Richard Weightman, mayor 
of Washington, 1824; Dr. Frank T. Howe, Pittsburg Commercial-Gazette, 
after a connection with the local press, became associated with the Board of 
Public Works as its secretary, until abolished, when he returned to journal 
ism, and H. W. Spofford, of the Fort Worth, (Texas,) Gazette, son of Ains- 
worth R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress, engaged in special work for news 
papers, and magazines. Mrs. Spofford was Edith F. Safford, daughter of 
Judge William H. Safford, a lawyer of Chillicothe, formerly a member of the 



THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. 215 

Ohio Legislature, and author of the Blennerhasset papers. She has fine lit 
erary talent. 

The city press of Washington has in its editorial management gentlemen 
who, with their ladies, fill an important place in the social life cf the capital. 

Crosby S. Noyes, editor of the Evening Star, is a native of Maine, and 
came to Washington in 1851 as correspondent of New England newspapers. 
In 1853 he visited Europe, making a pedestrian tour of the continent, and 
writing letters for Boston and Portland newspapers, which attracted wide at 
tention in the United States. In 1855 he became assistant editor of the Wash- 
ington Evening Star. In 1867 he was one of a syndicate to purchase the pa 
per, and became its editor. Mrs. Noyes was Elizabeth S. Williams, of 
Maine. She was married in 1856, and since has participated in the social life 
of Washington, through the transition periods of the administrations of Bu 
chanan, Lincoln, and Grant, to the present time. Her accomplished daughter, 
Maud, is in society. A younger daughter, Mila, is finishing her education. 
Her son Theodore W. Noyes, after several years service, 1877-80, as assist 
ant to his father in the editorial management of the Star, resided in Dakotah 
for his health. In 1886 he resumed his editorial service. Mrs. Theodore 
Noyes was Mary Prentice, of Le Roy, New York, a very accomplished lady. 
Another son, Frank Brett Noyes, in 1877 entered the business office of the 
Star, and in 1886 was elected treasurer of the company. A younger son, 
Thomas, is a student at Princeton College. 

Ira N. Burntt, of the Sunday Herald, a native of Pennsylvania, av riter on 
the Montrose (Pa.) Republican, at the outbreak of the war, after serving in 
the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania infantry as captain, in all the battles, from the 
second Bull Run to Gettysburg, and having been wounded at Gettysburg, the 
Wilderness, and before Petersburg, at the expiration of his term of service, in 
November, 1864, went to the front as correspondent, and wrote the account of 
the battle of Five Forks for the Cincinnati Commercial. He continued as a 
correspondent till 1 868, when he became proprietor of the Washington Sun 
day Herald. Mrs. Burntt, who is very handsome, was Elizabeth Nicholson, 
daughter of Major Augustus Nicholson, and sister of the present Major Au 
gustus Nicholson, marine corps, and grand-daughter of Daniel Carroll, of 
Duddington, former owner of the land which the capitol and south east 
Washington now occupy. Her mother was Sallie Carroll, well known in the 
early society of the capital. Their daughter, Effie A. Burritt, will enter socie 
ty next year. 

S. H. Kauffman, president of the Evening Star Company, came to Wash 
ington in 1 86 1, with Secretary Chase, and filled an important place in the 
Treasury Department until 1867, when he became one of the purchasers of 



2l6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the Evening Star. He is president of the "Washington Art Club, trustee of 
the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and one of the managers of the Cosmos Club. 
Mrs. Kauffmann was Sarah Clark Fracker, of Zanesville, daughter of one of 
the early iron manufacturers of Ohio. Their daughter, Louise, has just com 
pleted her education, and will soon enter society. Their elder son, Rudolph, 
is one of the active members of the reportorial staff of the Star. His wife 
was Jessie Kennedy, of Washington, daughter of a former sheriff of Chatau- 
qua county, New York. A younger son, Victor, is a student at Princeton. 

Stillson Hutchins, of the Washington Post, is a politician as well as a jour 
nalist. He came to Washington and founded the Post when the prospects of 
the Democracy returning to the front once more began to take shape in in 
creasing strength and control in Congress. 

E. W. Fox, of the National Republican, who came to Washington from 
Missouri, is an active partisan in support of the interests of the Republican 
minority. He has an interesting family. 

Hallet Kilbourn, of the Evening Critic, has long been identified with Wash 
ington interests. Mrs. Kilbourn and her two daughters are well known in 
Washington society. 

Thomas G. Morrow, of the Sunday Gazette, a native of Ohio, is the son of 
an early Methodist preacher of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He 
enlisted, 1861, as a private in the Fifth Ohio Infantry under the first call for 
volunteers, serving four years. He was promoted to captain. In 1861 he 
purchased the Gazette. Mrs. Morrow was Imogene Chisham, daughter of 
John Chisham, of Lexington, Kentucky. William F. Morrow, assists his 
father in the management of his journal. 

Edmund Hudson, who conducts the Sunday Capital, is one of the active 
Washington correspondents. 




UNOFFICIAL SOCIETY. 217 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
UNOFFICIAL SOCIETY. 

ITS INCREASING INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE DRAWING THE LINES 
THE REPRESENTATIVE CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON FASHIONABLE LIFE 
ITS PERSONNEL TO BE CONSIDERED. 



BRIEF decade ago the official society of the capital was paramount. 
The prestige of rank carried everything before it in the social world. 
Persons in public life, socially unknown or unrecognized at home, 
were courted and humored by a toadying floating population, drawn hither 
by the opportunities afforded by official entertainments for a season of social 
dissipation. 

The most notable feature of the social life of the capital of more recent years 
has been the growth, influence, and importance of the unofficial element. The 
seat of government has become the winter residence of men of culture, leisure, 
and means, with their families, from all parts of the country. The beautifying 
of the city gives it attractions unequaled by any city in the United States. 
Its places of public interest give it preeminence in its educational influences. 
Its social life possesses exceptional facinations on account of its diversity. 

The advantage of the private social life of Washington is the select and dis 
tinguished character of its personnel Freed from the necessity of catering 
to political sentiments or notoriety, it can confine its guests to persons of 
congenial tastes and opinions. The prestige of rank has therefore very ma 
terially diminished as a passport to polite recognition. Prominence in states 
manship, learning, or the possession of some other claim to consideration, is 
of more importance. 

The effect of this drawing in of the lines will be to cut off the voracious, of 
ficious, and obtrusive social strikers, male and female, who have fa tened on 
fashionable luncheons, and put on airs on the strength of the open houses of 
the officials. It will also relieve the refined and cultivated circles of private 
life in Washington from the scandals which have been retailed through the 
press about practices not common to well-ordered society elsewhere. 

In a future volume the personnel of the unofficial social life of the capital, 
with the cooperation of its distinguished members, will receive that full atten 
tion which it deserves, and which would be impracticable here The repre 
sentative character of Washington fashionable life in all that is distinguished, 
discreet, and cultivated will be seen, and the opinion hitherto expressed, that 
the social life of the capital is a reflex of the higher social life of the nation 
will be amply demonstrated. 



2l8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 

STATE LEVEES, OFFICIAL DINING, SOCIAL DRAWING-ROOMS, AND LUNCHEONS 
AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION THE BANQUET TO THE QUEEN OF HAWAII 
CABINET ENTERTAINMENTS THE CHRISTENING OF DOROTHY PAYNE 
WHITNEY SUPREME COURT DIPLOMATIC BALLS CONGRESSIONAL GAY- 
ETIES ARMY AND NAVY GERMANS CLUB RECEPTIONS FASHIONABLE DI 
VERSIONS. 

\ 

ROM the days of John Adams, the first chief magistrate to take posses- 
sion of the Executive Mansion, down to its present occupant, the 
President s Reception on New Year s day has inaugurated the gayeties 
of the fashionable season in official and social life at the national capital. The 
New Year s Reception of 1887 was invested with increased interest, apart from 
its official and ceremonial significance, as it signalized the first appearance of 
Mrs. Cleveland as the head of the social regime of the Executive household. 
The state parlors, east room, and promenade corridor were profusely dec 
orated with flowering, foliage and tropical plants ; the curtains were drawn 
and the great crystal chandeliers diffused a sparkling light over the brilliant 
scene. At half past ten o clock the ladies who composed the receiving party 
joined Mrs. Cleveland in the library, on the second floor. A few minutes 
before eleven o clock the Marine Band, in the vestibule, struck up " Hail to 
the Chief." Simultaneously the party descended by the private stairway, 
Col. John M. Wilson, U. S. Engineers, in full uniform, leading the way, fol 
lowed by the President with Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Cleveland with the Secre 
tary of State, Mrs. Endicott with the Secretary of the Treasury, and Mrs. 
Vilas with the Secretary of War. Entering the audience parlor from the 
main corridor, the President and Mrs. Cleveland took their places and received 
the New Year s congratulations of the members of the Cabinet, their wives 
and daughters. 

The receiving ladies, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Endicott, and Mrs. Vilas, having 
taken their places on the right of Mrs. Cleveland, who stood next to the Pres 
ident, the members of the Diplomatic Corps, in court dress, assembled in 
the red parlor, entered the audience parlor, the Secretary of State and the 
Dean of the Corps at their head, and extended the compliments of the season. 
Then followed in the order prescribed by the official programme the members 
of the Judiciary, Senators and Representatives, Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia, judicial officers of the District, ex-members of the Cabinet, ex- 
Diplomatic Ministers of the United States, the officers of the army and navy, 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 219 

officials, certain civic associations and the public, until two, p. m. The presenta 
tions to the President were made by Colonel J. M. Wilson, U. S. Engineers, 
and to Mrs. Cleveland by Lieutenant William P. Duval, Fourth artillery. 

The first drawing-room of the season was given by Mrs. Cleveland on 
Saturday, January 8, from three to five o clock, assisted by Mrs. Manning, 
Mrs. Endicott, Mrs. Vilas, and Miss Mary Hastings, the President s niece. 
The eager throng of callers, was so great that it was very nearly six o clock 
before the doors were closed, it being estimated that four thousand persons, 
mostly ladies, passed through the audience parlor. The presentations were 
made by Surgeon Robert M. O Reiley, U. S. A., and Lieutenant Duval. 

The life of Mrs. Cleveland in the Executive Mansion during her first season 
presented a charming picture of the direction of her tastes and inclinations. 
Instead of being over-awed and repressed by the conventionalities of her ex 
alted position, she followed within the range of the rigid code of etiquette of 
the President s household her youthful womanly fondness for persons nearer 
her own age. This was happily illustrated in her first luncheon, given on 
Wednesday, January 12, at 1.30, p. m., in the family dining-room. The 
guests were: Misses Mary Manning, Mary C. Endicott, Nellie Vilas, and 
Jennie Lamar, the Cabinet young ladies; Miss C. E. Sears, a niece of Secre 
tary Endicott ; Miss Nannie Waite, daughter of the Chief Justice of the United 
States; Miss Susanne Bancroft, grand-daughter of the historian; Miss Hattie 
Banks, daughter of Bleeker Banks, of Albany; Misses Loulie Eustis, a niece, 
and Marie Eustis, daughter of Louisana s Senior Senator ; Miss Mary Wil 
son, daughter of the marshal of the District of Columbia, and Miss Holly- 
day, of Maryland, her guest; Miss Green and her sister Isabelle Green, 
daughters of New Jersey s late Representative and new Governor; Miss 
Louisa Rucker, daughter of the retired Quartermaster General; Miss Lena 
Porter, daughter of the Admiral; Misses Mary Sherman, Mary Cameron, 
Mary Evarts, and Corinne Blackburn, daughters of Senators; Miss McCul- 
loch, daughter of an ex-Secretary of the Treasury; Miss Anne Randall, 
daughter of ex-Speaker Randall; Miss Mary Sears, of Binghamton, a school 
friend of Mrs. Cleveland; Miss Camille Bergmans, daughter of Mrs. Macal- 
ister Laughton; Miss Laura Randolph Tucker, daughter of Representative 
Tucker, of Virginia; Miss Hoyne, of Chicago, a guest of Miss Vilas; Miss 
Cora Churchill, sister of Mrs. Senator Miller; Miss Mary Hastings, niece of 
the President, and Miss Walker, of Virginia, a guest of Miss Vilas. 

The young ladies were in street costume. 

The next event in the roll of state gayeties was the President s reception 
to the Diplomatic Corps, Thursday evening, January 13, from nine to eleven 
o clock, assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Manning, and Mrs. Vilas. The 



220 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

presentations were made by Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant Duval. The 
occasion, in addition to the guests of the evening, brought together a large 
and brilliant assemblage of the higher officers of the Government, civil and 
military, and their ladies. 

The first state dinner of the season given by the President to the Cabinet 
and their ladies on Thursday, January 28, 7.30, p. m., also included Senator 
and Mrs. Sherman ; the Speaker and Mrs. Carlisle; the Lieutenant General 
and Mrs. Sheridan; Senator Beck, Governor and Mrs. Lee, of Virginia; Mr. 
and Mrs. John A. Andrew, Boston ; Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild; Mrs. 
Charles W. Goodyear, and Mrs. George J. Sicard, of Buffalo; ex-U. S. Sen 
ator Henry G. Davis and Mrs. Davis, of West Virginia; Commodore and 
Mrs. Harmony, and Mrs. August Belmont. 

The table was beautifully decorated and the menu was elaborate and ex 
cellent. 

The second drawing room held by Mrs. Cleveland, Saturday, January 22, 
three to five, p. m., was another great gathering of the social life of the capital. 
She was assisted by Mrs. Vilas, of the Cabinet ladies, Mrs. Goodyear and 
Mrs. Sicard, of Buffalo, and Miss Manning. The presentations were made 
by Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant Duval. 

The President s reception to the Congress and the Judiciary, Thursday, 
January 27, from nine to eleven, p. m., was largely attended by a representa 
tion of those arms of the Government and other invited guests. He was 
assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Endicott, Mrs. Vilas, and 
Mrs. Lamar. The presentations were made by Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant 
Duval. 

At half past seven o clock on the evening of Thursday, February 3, the Pres 
ident and Mrs. Cleveland entered the great east room, where their distin 
guished guests of honor, the Diplomatic Representatives of the various Gov 
ernments of the globe, were assembled. Mrs. Cleveland was dressed in a 
pale tint of blue. The President led the way towards the state dining-room, 
with Senora Romero, wife of the Mexican Minister, and the procession ended 
with Mrs. Cleveland, escorted by Mr. Preston, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. 
The other guests were the remaining members cf the Diplomatic Corps and 
ladies, thirty in number; the Secretary of State; George Bancroft; Mrs. Fol- 
som, Mrs Cleveland s mother; Mrs. Col. Lament, wife of the Private Secre 
tary; Mrs. Bleeker Banks, of Albany; Miss Natalie Sternberg, of Buffalo; 
Mrs. Virginia Kingsford, of Oswego, daughter of Thomas Kingsford, the 
great starch manufacturer; Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild and Mrs. Alfred C. 
Chapin, of New York. 

The table was beautifully decorated, the chief piece representing the hang- 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 221 

ing gardens of Semirimis. At each ladies plate was a rich bouquet de corsage 
of alternating colors in roses and satin ribbons and gentlemen s boutonieres. 
Forty guests sat down. 

At her third drawing-room, Saturday, February 5, from three to five, p. m., 
Mrs. Cleveland was assisted by Mrs. Senator Sherman, Mrs. Speaker Carlisle, 
Miss Natalie Sternberg, of Buffalo, an intimate friend from girlhood, and Miss 
Virginia Kingsford, of Oswego, Mrs. Cleveland s class and room mate at 
Wells College. The presentations were made by Col. Wilson and Lieut. 
Duval. 

The dinner to the Supreme Court, Thursday, February 17, at 7.30, p. m., 
closed the season of state dining. The guests were the Chief Justice of the 
United States and Associate Justices, and their ladies; Senators Edmunds 
and Mrs. Edmunds, McMillan and Mrs. McMillan, Evarts and Mrs Evarts, 
Vest and Mrs. Vest; Representative and Mrs. Collins, of Massachusetts; 
Mr and Mrs. John E. Devlin, and Mr. and Mrs. Frances Lynde Stetson, of 
New York; Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, and ex-Mayor and Mrs. Grace, 
of New York. 

The last drawing-room was held on Saturday, February 19, three to six 
o clock. Mrs. Cleveland was assisted by Miss Cleveland, Mrs. Folsom, Miss 
Endicott, and Miss Lamar. The presentations were made by Colonel Wilson 
and Lieutenant Duval. The throng of callers exceeded all previous occasions, 
the numbers which hurried through the audience room being estimated at five 
thousand. 

The formal social gayeties of the season were closed with an elegant 
luncheon by Mrs. Cleveland on Monday, February 21, at 1.30 o clock. Her 
guests were Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, the President s sister; Mrs. 
Folsom, Mrs. Cleveland s mother; Miss Walcott; Miss Van Vechten, of Al 
bany; Mrs. Bigelow Lawrence, of " Aldie," Doylestown, Pa. ; Mrs. Ralph 
Cross Johnson; Miss Mildred Lee, of Virginia, daughter of the late General 
Robert E. Lee; Mrs. Frances Hudgson Burnett; Miss Farnsworth; Mrs. 
L. Macalester Laughton ; Mrs. J. C. Bancroft Davis; Miss Frelinghuysen, 
daughter of the late Premier of the Arthur administration ; Mrs. Rufus W. 
Peckham; Mrs. Townsend, daughter of Representative Scott, of Erie; Mrs. 
Lieutenant General Sheridan; Mrs. J. Russell Selfridge; Mrs. Judge Nott; 
Mrs. Leiter, of Chicago; Mrs. Speaker Carlisle; Mrs. Senators Sherman, 
Butler, Cockrell, Gray, Gorman, Kenna, Miller, Payne, Hearst, Eustis, 
Walthall, Vance, and Sabin; Mrs. Senator elect Hiscock; Miss Foote, sister- 
in-law of Senator Hawley, and Miss Daives ; Mrs. Representatives McMillan, 
Randall, Gates, Morrison, and Springer ; Mrs. Col. John M. Wilson, Mrs. 
A. A. Wilson, Miss Proctor, Mrs. Rev. Byron Sunderland, wife of the pastor 



222 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

of the President s church; Mrs. Admiral Upshur, and Miss Ramsey, guest 
of Senator Sawyer. 

The visit of the Queen of Hawaii and suite to the American capital, May 
3-7, was the occasion of suitable ceremonial etiquette and hospitality. Her 
Majesty was received at Baltimore by the Hawaiian Minister, Mr. Carter, 
and a deputation representing the Secretary of State by Mr. Sevellon A. 
Brown, the Secretary of War by Captain D. M. Taylor, U. S. A., and the 
Secretary of the Navy by Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. N , and was escorted to the 
capital. On the following day, May 4, Her Majesty and suite made a call of 
ceremony upon the President. They were received at the entrance to the 
Executive Mansion by the Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary Adee, 
and were shown into the blue parlor where the President and Mrs. Cleveland, 
surrounded by Mrs. Francis Folsom Welch, Mrs. Cleveland s aunt; ex- 
Mayor Bleeker Banks, of Albany, and Private Secretary and Mrs. Lamont, 
awaited them. The Secretary of State presented the Queen and party to the 
President and Mrs. Cleveland. 

At two o clock the same day Mrs. Cleveland, accompanied by the Cabinet 
ladies, Mrs. Fairchilds, Mrs. Endicott, Mrs. Vilas, Mrs. Whitney, and Mrs. 
Warren, of Boston, representing her father, the Secretary of State, and her 
sisters the Misses Nannie and Florence Bayard, attended by Col. John M. Wil 
son, made the return call of ceremony. This was the first instance in the 
ceremonial etiquette of the Executive Mansion in which the wife represented 
the President in making a return call of ceremony upon a visiting member of 
a royal family. 

The same evening a diplomatic reception was held at the legation of Hawaii, 
Minister Carter, Mrs. Carter, and Miss Carter presiding. 

The next day was passed in visiting places of interest in and around the 
capital. 

The following day was spent in visiting Mount Vernon, on the United 
States steamer Dispatch, Commander Cowles commanding and Lieutenant 
Eldredge executive officer. As the party entered the navy yard a detachment 
of marines, under Captain Percival C. Pope, with the Marine band, gave them 
a passing salute. At the vessel s dock they were greeted by Captain Wallace 
and the officers of the yard, and a royal salute of twenty-one guns. As the 
steamer passed the United States steamer Galena, the yards were manned, 
and the band discoursed the national airs of the two countries from the quar 
ter-deck, where the officers were assembled. At Mount Vernon the queen 
was escorted by Senator Sherman and the princess by Senator Evarts. A 
number of distinguished officials and their ladies and army and navy officers 
were among the guests of the occasion. 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 223 

At 7.15, p. m., May 6, the queen and suite arrived at the executive man 
sion, as the guests of the President and Mrs. Cleveland, at a state banquet 
in honor of Her Majesty. After removing their wrappings, they were 
ushered into the east room, where the President and Mrs. Cleveland received &lt; 
them. As the guests arrived, they were presented. At a quarter before eight 
the President and Her Majesty led the way to the dining-hall, the Marine 
Band playing the President s polonais. 

The tables were elaborately decorated with flowers, the center pieces on the 
p ateau representing two floral ships, " Columbia," and " Hawaii," and the 
colors of the two countries in banks of flowers. 

The guests were Her Majesty, Queen Kapiolani, Her Royal Highness 
Princess Liliuokalani, Lieutenant General Dominis, His Excellency Hon. C. 
P. laukea Col. J. II. Boyd, the Hiwaiian Minister, Mrs. Carter and Miss 
Carter, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Fair- 
child, the Secretary of War and Mrs. Endicott, the Secretary of the Navy and 
Mrs. Whitney, the Postmaster General and Mrs. Vilas, Senator and Mrs. 
Sherman, the Chief Justice and Mrs. Waite, the Lieutenant General and Mrs. 
Sheridan, the Admiral and Miss Porter, the Haytien Minister Mr. Preston, 
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, ex-Speaker and Mrs. Robert C. Winfhrop, 
of Massachusetts, Mr. George Bancroft and Miss Bancroft, Mrs. Lincklaen, 
mother of Mrs. Fairchild, and Mrs. Macalester Laughton. 

The toilettes of the ladies were in excellent taste. Mrs. Cleveland wore 
her wedding dress of white satin, trimmed with ostrich tips. The Queen wore 
a flowing robe of cream-colored gros-grain silk, embroidered in vines, roses, 
dahlias, and feathers of native birds in natural colors. The front of the 
dress was crossed by a broad royal scarf of scarlet. The Princess Royal, 
Liliuokalani, wore a dress of black silk, with back and train of black velvet, 
and at the waist a sash of broad ribbon ; Mrs. Carter, yellow satin, with 
flounces of oriental lace; Miss Carter, white embroidered mull, with sash of 
white moire ribbon; Mrs. Vilas, dress of pale pink satin, with train, low 
bodice, and front panel of lace hung with amber droplets; Miss Porter, low 
bodice, front and side of dress of white satin, and full gathered back of tulle 
white, the front draped with full drapery of gold gauze; Miss Endicott, yellow 
satin, with petticoat of dotted tulle and edgings of maroon velvet; Mrs. Fair- 
child, toilet of white tulle, trimmed with white satin ribbon and Venetian lace ; 
Mrs. Lincklaen, mourning black, with cap of white mull; Miss Susanne Ban 
croft, trained dress of pink heliotrope moire, garnished with laces and gems; 
Mrs. Winthrop, heavy toilet of black satin, train laid in heavy pleats, and 
front in cherry satin, cap of white net; Mrs. Waite, dress of nut-brown satin 
shawl of black lace, and cap of old point; Mrs. Sheridan, sea-shell pink satin, 



224 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

with insertions of ribbon and lace; Mrs. Laughton, satin in white and green 
stripes, with full train, low bodice and profusion of rare old lace ; Mrs. 
Sherman, stone-colored silk, faced with pale pink silk, and garnished with 
jewels and lace; Mrs. Whitney, evening dress of pale pearl color, shot with 
gleams of gold and pink, and made with many graceful draperies. 

The royal party left Washington for Boston the next day. 

The Cabinet entertainments were principally the drawing-rooms of the ladies 
of the Cabinet. Secretary and Mrs. Whitney filled the most prominent place 
in the gayeties of the Cabinet circle. Their receptions, dinner parties, and 
social occasions for charitable purposes or the enjoyment and diversion of their 
friends were among the events of the season. Secretary Endicott and Post 
master General Vilas held evening receptions. The Secretary of State, being 
in mourning, and Secretary of the Treasury, on account of ill health, took no 
part in the social enjoyments. 

The historic cruciform edifice in the vicinity of the Executive Mansion, the 
Protestant Episcopal church of St. John, where for nearly three quarters of a 
century Presidents and premiers and notable men and women have united in 
the offices of religion, on the afternoon of April n, 1887, was the scene of a 
distinguished assemblage in the highest walks of official and unofficial life, to 
witness the christening of Dorothy Payne Whitney, infant daughter of the 
Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Whitney. 

The interior of the church in the vicinity of the altar was richly decorated 
with choice flowers. The ornaments were decked with lilies, pink and white 
tulips, and roses. The lectern had a cross of red tulips upon it, and the bap 
tismal font was a mass of white annunciation lilies, surmounted by a white 
dove. 

As the arriving guests were being seated by Surgeon Melancthon Ruth, U. 
S. Navy; Lieutenant M. Rucker Jenish, of the Uhlans of the German army, 
attache of the German Legation; Seiior Don Francisco Gordon Du Bosc, 
third secretary of the Spanish Legation; Mr. M. V. R. Berry, and William 
C. Endicott, Jr., son of the Secretary of War, the organist, F. E. Camp, ren 
dered an oratorio. 

The ceremonies began with the entrance of the choir of eight men and six 
teen boys, under the direction of Mr. W. II. Daniel, precentor, singing a 
processional carol, and assisted by Miss Agnes Osgood. Rev. William A. 
Leonard, the rector, called for the candidate for baptism to be presented. 
Mrs. Whitney, carrying the child and attended by the Secretary of the Navy, 
who represented Colonel Oliver Payne, Mrs. Whitney s brother, who was in 
Europe, as godfather of the infant; Mrs. de Reuterskiold, wife of the Minister 
from Sweden and Norway, who stood as godmother; Miss Bayard, Miss En- 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENT 



225 



dicott, Miss Vilas, and Miss Lamar, the Cabinet }oung ladies, who stood as 
sponsors; and Miss Pauline Whitney, sister of the infant, Ethel Robeson, 
Mollie Vilas, Elsie Anderson, daughter of Gen. N. L. Anderson, Lousette 
Bonaparte, May Iluddlestone, the niece of Mrs. Folsom, and May Davis, 
(laughter of Judge John Davis, acting as attendants, and wearing dresses of 
white mull ribboned with pink silk, advanced to the altar. 

After the service, the christening party passed out of the chancel door and 
took carriages for the Secretary s residence. 

The church party followed to the residence of the Secretary, where a recep 
tion was held from half past five until seven o clock. The rooms were hand 
somely decorated with pink and white hydrangeas, azaleas, the white stalks 
of pride of the meadow, white hyacinths, and roses. In the ball-room the 
presents were displayed, the principal one being a silver pap bowl, plate and 
spoon, gold lined, resting in a pink plush case with a white satin lining. The 
President and Mrs. Cleveland sent a present of a handsome silver platter, 
milk bowl and spoon. The platter and bowl were satin finished, in the centre 
of each of which was engraved "Dorothy." Forming a deep border around 
the edge was in raised figures all manner of quaint designs of children engaged 
in childish sports. In the dining-room, cake, strawberries, creams, ices, and 
chocolate were served and from a silver bowl, the old-time caudal, a drink 
composed of wine and wassail, raisins, oatmeal, was passed to the guests. 

Secretary and Mrs. Whitney were assisted in receiving their guests by Miss 
Mabel Waddell, Miss Susanne Bancroft, Miss Julia Stockton, Miss Mamie 
Heath, Miss Endicott, Miss Lamar, Miss Vilas, Miss Schley, Miss Sicard, 
Miss May McCullough, Miss Stout, Miss Emily Wallach, Miss Odeneal, and 
Miss Phillips. On entering the dressing-room guests were presented with an 
egg-shaped box of bonbons, from flower-wreathed trays borne by the young 
misses who acted as attendants. Seven hundred invitations were issued and 
included the elite of fashionable life. 

The " Mondays " of the ladies of the Supreme Court constituted the princi 
pal social entertainments of the court circle. Among the guests of the Chief 
Justice were, Mrs. Henry Waite, Mrs. Cheeseborough and Mrs. Tixucker, of 
New York. The Chief Justice and Justices filled out the round of fashionable 
enjoyments with receptions and dinners. 

The "legation ball " has been an event in the social seasons at the national 
capital ever since the inauguration of the first administration. The British 
Legation which occupies a commodious residence of its own in the most fash 
ionable quarter of Washington, has been the scene of many of these brilliant 
fetes. The present minister, Sir Lionel Sackville West, made his entre diplo 
matically and socially into the gay life of the Republican capital by giving five 
grand balls his first season. 



226 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The ball of January 4, 1887, was one of peculiar social interest, being in 
honor of the debut of Sir Lionel s youngest daughter Amalia. The descendant 
of the house of De la Warre, after which Pennsylvania s fluvial outlet to the 
sea received its name, in his simple elegant court dress, with his three charm 
ing daughters, Victoria, the presiding lady of his household, Flora, and 
Amalia, received the distinguished guests in the salmon parlor or second 
drawing-room, opulent in taste and beauty, with hangings of fawn and pale 
bisque brocade. 

Miss West wore a ball dress of black tulle, the front dotted with jet pendants. 
The low corsage was of black satin, with a broad bertha and cap sleeves of 
jet, from which pendants fell upon the arms. Miss Flora West and her sister, 
Amalia, the dubutante, wore ball dresses of cream white satin, covered with 
tulle, the fronts dotted with pendants of crystal beads. The decollet^ corsages 
Avere of cream white satin, with trimmings of crystal beads bordering the 
neck and falling on the arm. The debutante carried flowers. 

The earlier part of the evening, from ten to midnight, the hour of supper, 
Avas devoted to etiquette and conversation among the older, and dancing among 
the younger guests. After the supper, which was lavish in appointments and 
menu, the formal dancing began with a cotillion led by Mr. Du Bosc, of the 
Spanish Legation, and Miss West ; Mr. Janisch, of the German Legation, 
and Miss Flora West ; Mr. Edwardes, secretary of the legation, and Miss 
Amelia West. 

There were five figures, the Japanese umbrella, the fan, the red and blue 
aprons, the gild battledoors and shuttlecocks, and the last, the plush monkeys 
and butterfly hairpins being used by the dancers. 

The guests numbered five hundred of the most distinguished ladies and 
gentlemen in the circles of official, diplomatic, and fashionable life. The mem 
bers of the diplomatic corps and their ladies were in full court dress, and pre 
sented a brilliant gathering. Guests were also present from other cities. The 
toilettes of the ladies were very elegant. 

The Legation of the Mother of Empires in the East was a scene of Oriental 
splendor on the occasion of the annual ball given by the envoy of the Em 
peror Kwang Su, on the night of January 25. The minister and his suite 
received the distinguished guests in the main parlor. The rigid court dress 
of dark blue satin and somber colors worn on official occasions was discarded, 
and the bright colors of light blue, royal yellow, ( the imperial colors, ) delicate 
lilac, and other hues prescribed by the rules of the board of rites and cere 
monies were worn. The minister also wore the peacock feather, the insignia 
of official nobility, and the precious stone or button of his rank in the imperial 
order of official precedence. The ceremonial gravity of manner was also 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 22) 

observed, varied, however, by the American shake. In this department of 
social etiquette it is customary for a Chinese official to clasp his own hands 
together cordially, shake them vigorously, bob his head, and incline his body 
courteously. In America, however, they do as Americans do, and give the 
grip with all the customary plebistic familiarity of an American sovereign. 

The invitations included the President and wife, represented by Colonel 
and Mrs. Lament, it being contrary to all precedents from Washington down 
for the President of the United States to enter the house of a foreign minister; 
the Supreme Court, represented by the Chief Justice and Associates and their 
ladies ; the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and Foreign Affairs 
of the House; Senators and Representatives who had called, and the personal 
friends of the minister whose acquaintance he desired to recognize. 

The menu of the evening was terrestrial in every sense of the word. The 
Celestial delicacies of bird s nest soup, shark s fins, releves of duck, entres of 
pickled eggs and entremets of sweets, washed down by the vintages of the 
hills Shantung and Chihli and royal samshu, were discarded for the chefs 
d oeuvres of the gastronomic art of the western world, the wines of the Rhine 
and the spirits of cognac and Monongahela. 

The Congressional gayeties of the season were mostly confined to the Draw 
ing-Rooms and fashionable "teas " of the ladies of the families of Senators 
and Representatives. There were also evening receptions, which were largely 
attended, and contributed to the round of social enjoyments of the season. 

While the older officers of the field, line, and staff of the army, navy, and 
marines may be said io be pleasing reminiscences, recalling the romance and 
heroism of a soldier s and sailors s career, the younger officers give a practical 
turn to their share in the gay life of the season by holding a series of enter 
tainments under the auspices of the "Army and Navy Assembly and German 
Club." The organization represented for the season by Rear Admiral J. H. 
Upshur as president, and Brigadier General Robert Macfeeley, vice-president, 
was under thfe direction of an executive committee, composed of Major G. J. 
Lydecker, Lieutenant Colonel Stanhope, E. Blunt, (treasurer,) Major W. E. 
Tucker, Jr., and Lieutenant William P. Duvall, on the part of the army; 
Major G. C. Goodloe of the marines, and Lieutenant S. C. Lemly, Engineer J, 
A. Tobin, Lieutenant A. Marixand Lieutenant L. L. Reamey, (secretary,) on 
the part of the navy. 

As the membership is limited to one hundred and twenty, and the general 
invitations to an equal number, each member being allowed to name to the 
committee for invitation his own lady and her chaperone, keeps the presence 
on each occasion down to a select assemblage of the very best society. The 
President, the members of the Cabinet, and Supreme Court of the United 



228 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

States, and the ladies of their families, are the regular guests of the germans 
through the entire season. Some of these high digni aries are present on 
each occasion. President Arthur was particularly fond of attending. The 
germans were given once a month during the season, from New Year s to 
Lent. 

The gayeties of the evening began with an assembly, with the ordinary 
round and square dances. The germans began after supper, at 12.30, and 
closed at 2 o clock, a. m. There were seventy-five couples in each german. 
The first german of the season was led by Dr. C. W. Deane, U. S. N., with 
Miss Lyons; the second by Lieutenant John D. Barrette, U. S. A., without 
a partner; third by Lieutenant L. L. Reamey, U. S. N., with his wife, and 
the fourth by Lieutenant H. R. Lemly, U. S. A., with Mrs. Lieutenant Col 
onel Blunt. 

The reception given by the members of the Metropolitan Club, on the even 
ing of April 12, to the ladies in official and unofficial society, was one of the 
most brilliant and enjoyable affairs of the season. It afforded an opportunity 
to the gentlemen largely in army, navy, and marine circles, and bachelor 
members of the club in polite society, to reciprocate social attentions which 
they had received. It also gave the ladies an opportunity to form some idea 
of the inside of a well managed club house. 

The entire building was thrown open to the great throng of guests. The 
entrance was through halls draped with the national colors, which led to the 
ample cloak and dressing-rooms. Ascending to the first floor, the guests en 
tered the west parlor, where they were received by Admiral Rogers and Mrs. 
General Sheridan. Mrs. Sheridan wore peachblow satin, the front of the 
skirt draped with fine white lace; the train composed of white illusion, striped 
with bands of pink satin ribbons ; corsage cut low, with short sleeves; neck 
lace of gold, with diamond pendant ; pink ostrich tips in the hair, and carried 
a bouquet of white and pink roses. The United States Marine Band, under 
Director Sousa, rendered an excellent selection of nine pieces for the promen 
ade. Dancing began about eleven o clock, for which there were two orches 
tras provided. There was a programme of twenty-four dances. Supper was 
served at midnight. 

The ladies were in grand toilette, officers in full uniform, and civilians 
in full dress. The costumes of the ladies were particularly rich in material, 
and fashioned in the highest style of the modiste s art. 

The guests, numbering over five hundred, represented every department of 
the Government, and the most prominent society ladies and gentlemen. 

The "house-warming" of the new Jefferson club, on the evening of Febru 
ary 22, was the occasion of a large and distinguished gathering of gentlemen 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 229 

from official, mercantile, and professional life, of the National capital. The 
spacious building, which had become historic as the home of the Court of Al 
abama Claims, had been reconstructed for club purposes. 

The guests began to arrive shortly after nine o clock, and from that hour 
until midnight, the club-house was crowded with a gathering of representa 
tive men. Mr. Stillson Hutchins, the president of the club, received the 
guests. With him was the board of governors. Messrs. M. F. Morris, Enoch 
Totten, W. C. Mclntire, Hallet Kilbourn, A. A. Wilson, A. T. Britton, F. 
A. Richardson, George B. Williams, Lawrence Gardner, Eppa Hunton, E. B. 
Youmans, and John G. Moore. As the evening advanced, a supper was 
served in one of the upper vestibules. 

The remodeled historic mansion in which Dolly P. Madison, the widow of 
the fourth President of the United States, held court for many years after the 
demise of her husband, in 1836, on the evening of January 5, was the scene 
of a large and brilliant assemblage of statesmen, diplomats, warriors, scien 
tists, literateurs, artists, politicians, and f ishionables and their ladies, on the 
occasion of the "house warming" of The Cosmos Club. The guests were 
introduced by Col. Archibald Hopkins to Dr. J. S. Billings, who presented 
them to the reception committee, consisting of Mrs. Billings, Mrs. J. W. 
Powell, and Mrs. Garrick Mallery. Mrs. Billings, was attired in a rich black 
velvet costume, with diamond ornaments. Mrs. Powell wore white embroid 
ered china crepe, and ornaments of turquoise and diamonds. Mrs. Mallery s 
dress was a wine colored velvet, trimmed with duchess lace, and wore a neck 
lace of diamonds and diamond earrings. All the ladies were in evening dress. 
An orchestra discoursed the latest musical gems. The refreshment tables 
were spread conveniently to the reception room and the salons, and during 
the evening there was dancing. 

Among the fashionable afternoon diversions of the genial days of the open 
ing spring, were the "Paper Hunts," which afforded equestrians and eques 
triennes an opportunity to compete in horsemanship. On one of the iait 
days of April Miss Alice Maury, Mr. Goode, and Mr. Robert Wallach, took 
ten minutes start to lay a trail, and Mr. Alexander Greger, of the Russian 
legation, as master of the hounds, followed with his riders. The finish was 
arranged for in one of Secretary Whitney s fine fields. The carriages, the 
drosky, the drag, the carts and village wagonettes were drawn up in a line, 
and two hurdles of cedar twined into fences, the judge s table, and a finishing 
post completed the outfit. The field nearer the club was flagged and a bugler 
blew a blast that brought the hunters in. The first prize man was Mr. de 
Jenisch, of the German legation, a very fine cross-country rider. Mr. Fran 
cisco Becarra, of the Colombian legation, Miss Heath, Mr. Addison, Mrs. 



230 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Violet Helyar, Mr. Dana, Miss Alice Morgan, Mrs. Carrie Wright, Miss May 
McCulloch, received prizes. Also Mrs. Lehmann, Miss Cameron, Mrs. Dr. 
Dickson, Mr. Lehmann, Dr. Dickson, Secretary Whitney, Secretary Fair- 
child, Mr. Gresham, Mr. Niedgood, Mr. Emmons, Mr. A. B. Legare, Mr. 
Legare, Colonel Ludlow, Mr. Adams, Mr. Chilton, Mr. Ford, Mr. Leiter, 
Mr. Horace Washington, Mr. Dulaney, Mr. Neville, Mr. Whiting, Mr. 
Noble, Mr. Radford, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Snyder, Mr. 
duBosc, Major Powell, Mr. Todd, Mr. Tillinghast, and Mr. Wallace. Gen 
eral N. L. Anderson and Mr. George Hellen were the judges. 

Mrs. Whitney was "at home" at "Grasslands." Tea and cakes were 
laid in the dining-room. In front of the house, upon the lawn, were spread 
tables, with egg and tongue sandwiches and wines. 

The riding was excellent, none of the horses refusing to take the leaps. 
The horsemanship was so fine as to bring out demonstrations of great enthu 
siasm. Mrs. Cleveland, who was present, enjoyed the sport. 

A notable event of the race was the loss of the ladies prize by the British 
legation. Miss Heath "took the cup" for the first time from Mrs. Helyar. 
The broken record was much deplored by the Britons, as it was her last ride. 



THE KIRMES. 231 



CHAPTER XXXI. 
THE KIRMES. 

THE ELITE OF FASHIONABLE LIFK AT THE CAPITAL WITNESS THE DANCE OF 
NATIONS THREE HUNDRED DANCERS IN CUSTUME A GORGEOUS SPEC 
TACLE. 

T77 ERMESSE, kerk (dutch) church, messe, ( French, ) mass, originally ap- 
y J^V plied to a church festival, or out-door fete in Belgium, northern France, 
Cx5: an d Holland. The priests or pastors had charge, and while contrib 
uting to the enjoyment of their flocks, realized a revenue for the church. In 
the United States it has the combined features of an indoor festival and fair. 

The great social event of the season was the three nigh s, January 24-26 of 
the Kirmes, given at the National Theater, under the auspices of the ladies of 
the National Homeopathic Hospital, and for its benefit. For weeks, upwards 
of three hundred young ladies and gentlemen were under the instruction of 
Professor Carl Marwig, of New York, in anticipation of the event. The stage 
having been extended over the main floor of the auditorium, the spectators 
occupied the private boxes, orches ra circle, balconies, and galleries. In 
the audience were all the higher officers of State, the President and members 
of his household, members of the Cabinet, and the Diplomatic corps, Sena 
tors, the Supreme Court, Representatives, officers of the army, navy, and 
marine corps, officials, and others in social life with their ladies. The gentle 
men in full dress, and the ladies in grand toilette, presented a brilliant scene. 

The first blasts of the Third Artillery Band was the signal that the enter 
tainment of the evening was about to begin. As the curtain lifted it revealed 
to view an ampitheater in which were arranged in grand tableau, the three 
hundred dancers appropriately grouped. The brilliancy of the scene called 
forth raptures of applause. In a moment the dancers moved out with milita 
ry precision, and striking effect, in a grand march. The dancers having re 
seated themselves from the group, twenty-four Holland peasants marched 
down the stage abreast, and breaking into the figure of the Hollandaise dance 
began the programme. 

The toilettes of two of the leading young ladies consisted cf white cassi- 
mere skirts, trimmed with black velvet bands at the foot, and cut eleven inches 
from the ground. The black velvet bodices were cut low and square in front, 
and high in the back, with white muslin kerchiefs gathered closely about the 
throat. The sleeves were cut short, displaying white lace sleeves beneath, 
worn long and fastened about the wrists with gold bands. The head-dress 
consisted of a jaunty white plush and gold cap. Black stockings and black 



232 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

dancing slippers with high heels, and -arge silver buckles completed the 
toilet. The sleeves of the two young ladies who took the gentlemen s part in 
the lead, were cut open and laced loosely over the lace sleeves beneath. They 
wore black and gold lace caps. 

The skirts of the dancers, instead of being plain white, were yellow, red, 
pink, and blue, the colors being alternated as much as possible. 

The dancers were Bertha D. Lincoln, Mrs. Dr. II. M. Schooley, Misses 
Lilian Cook, Eloise Williams, Ray Elliott, Harrie Gray, Sallie Barber, Viola 
Kingsley, Sallie Newton, Nellie Merrick, and Edith Cross, Mrs. Addison 
Getchell, Misses Lilian Jones, Lena Stearns, Alice Nokes, Bertie Adams, 
Bessie Johnson, Rena Maloney, Mary Springer, and Annie Peachy, Mrs. H. 
A. Sykes, Mrs. T. B. Corbet, Mrs. J. Rowland, Mrs. E. F. Kimball. 

At the close of the Hollandaise dance, Miss Lincoln, on behalf of the dancers, 
presented Prof. Marwig with a handsome scarf pin, as a token of their appre 
ciation of his services as their instructor. 

This faithful reproduction of the National figure and step of the inhabitants 
cf the low countries, was under the patronage of Mrs. John G. Carlisle, wife 
of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Frances Colton, Mrs. 
Dr. Stearns, Mrs. Isaac H. Maynard, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the 
Treasury, Mrs. John J. Edson, Mrs. R. C. Getchell, Mrs. General William 
Birney, Mrs. Barton G. Jones, Mrs. Gurdon H. Wilcox, one of the most ac 
tive members of the executive committee, and Mrs. J. M. Flint, wife of Dr. 
Flint, U. S. N. 

Thirty-two Neapolitan dancers next appeared. The peasant girls wore 
cream-colored skirts of cassimere, or nun s veiling, striped in satin, with the 
Roman colors blue, yellow, black, pink, end Nile green. Blouse waists 
with puffed sleeves, caught up with bands of vari-colored ribbon, and broad 
crimson satin sailor collars. A broad crimson satin sash, loosely knotted, en 
circled the waist. The turban was made of crimson silk handkerchiefs. The 
flesh-colored hose were crossed and re-crossed with narrow silk ribbons of 
the prevalent Roman colors. Fishing nets were thrown over the right 
shoulder and brought back under the left arm. The tambourines were de 
corated with the broad red cross of Naples and Roman ribbons. 

The peasant boys wore dark trousers rolled up above the knees, displaying 
light colored lining; blue and white flannel shirts of various patterns: tur 
bans, flesh-colored stockings, and dancing pumps, ar.d carried tambourines 
and fishing rets. 

The ladies were Miss Kitty Martin, May E. Freeman, Blanche Mattingly, 
Florence P. Oliver, Leila Stacey, Henrietta Seawell, Lizzie II. Fletcher, Clara 
Stewart, Effie Bennett, Minnie Williamson, Anna C. Havenner, Stella Cason, 
Anita Hendrie, Georgie Williams, Marie Verger, and Mrs. H. L. Berlin. 



THE KIRMES. 233 

The gentlemen were G. Frank Erdman, Lewis M. Heron, Henry S. Sel- 
den, William Quinby, S. Edgar Darby, William C. Lewis, Ralph B. Schwick- 
ardi, Harry L. Dunwoody, William E. Horton, Harry Parsons, James T. 
Gibbs, Edward \Villiams, W. Frank Clark, Gales Moore, jr., Edward C. Robin 
son, and John N. Oliver, Jr. 

The lady patrons of this dance were Mrs. Representative R. S. Stevens, 
of New York, Mrs. ex-Commissioner W. W. Dudley, of Indiana, Mrs. F. 
C. Stevens, and Mrs. Representative E. John Ellis, of Louisiana. 

From the gay colors and flaunting ribbons of the Neapolitans, the scene 
changed to the many colors of the forty-six members of the Flower dance. 
The costumes were in imitation of the flowers they were intended to repre 
sent. The young ladies who formed a beautiful bouquet of roses, wore pink 
tarletan skirts, with green satin trimmings, and bodices to match, and carried 
bunches of pink roses in their hands, and wreathes of roses on their heads. 

The "roses " were : Maud Youngs, Bertha Bartlett, May Compton, Lot 
tie Cotton, Zulime Whitney, Daisy Williams, Eliza Peachy, Fannie Mahon. 

Eight blushing "poppies" wore red tarletan skirts, with green satin bod 
ices, and carried poppies in their hands, and wreathes of the same flower on 
their heads. The "poppies" were: Florence Mortimor, Louise Collins, 
Ethel Graffan, Gertrude Harvey, Lillie Washburne, Mable Towner, Flora 
Lewis, Lillie Sherman. 

Eight young ladies impersonating violets, were attired in purple tarletan 
skirts, with satin bodices of the same color. They carried that flower and 
garlands were entwined around their heads. The " violets " were : Marion 
Worthington, Luree Dyer, Mamie Gillam, Bertie Wallace, Bessie Smith, 
Jennie Peachy, Mary \Volf, Sadie W allace. 

There were eight daisies who wore yellow tarletan dresses with petals repre 
sented by long points of white do\vn the sides, and green satin bodices. The 
"daisies" were Etta Rogers, Mattie Gibson, Bertha Gibson, Emily Sher 
wood, Minnie Hutchinson, Irene Cowman, Pearl Houston, Jennie Tyrer. 

In and out among the flowers flitted a number of bees little girls dressed 
in yellow satin skirts, black tarletan over-dresses, dotted with gilt and silver 
spangles, black satin waists and puffed sleeves, with tiny rows of yellow rib 
bon around them. W T ings of black spangled gauze were fastened to their 
shoulders, while their black hose were crossed with narrow yellow ribbons. 
The "bees " were Lizzie Carver, Irma Ruess, Mamie Erdman, Mazie Burn- 
ham, Lizzie Widdecombe, Daisy Sykes, Hattie Borland, Maud Gorham, Ber 
tha Prentiss, Louise Powell, Louise Widdecombe, Nellie Tally, Gertie Brittain. 

This dance was under the auspices of Mrs. General H. G. Gibson, wife of 
the commander of the garrison of Washington, Mrs. Colonel Robert G. Ruth 
erford, Mrs. Dr. P. F. Harvey, U. S. N., Mrs. General Joseph G. Bartlett, 



234 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Mrs. Captain George B. Haycock, U. S. marines, Mrs. Lieutenant J. D. C. 
Hoskins, Mrs. Sedgwick Pratt, Mrs. Lieutenant Constantine Chase, and Mrs. 
R. W. Tyler. 

The twenty-four Spanish dancers next moved upon the stage with castanets 
and tambourines, and in gay attire and graceful evolutions. The leader of 
the dance, Miss Rosalie Lloyd Bradford, wore a skirt of light blue plush, 
handpainted in gold and flowers; zouave jacket in black velvet, embroidered, 
pink, blue, gold, and amber beads ; diamonds, amethyst and gold necklace ; 
black satin slippers; black gauze fan, in gold and colors; Spanish lace man 
tilla and dress draped with lace. 

The costumes conformed to the general features of the leaders, differing 
only in variety of colors. The other dancers were Misses Emma Washburn, 
Sophie Verdi, Miss Richards, Jeanie Van Zandt, Daisy Shankland, Jessie 
Owen, Bessie Volk, Flora Eaby, of Lancaster, Pa., Dora Stearns, Eva A. 
Houston, Elsie Hughes, Minnie Clinton, May Wilson, Miss Sullivan, Minnie 
Chichester, Helen P. Hill, Elma Gaines, Miss Clinton, Edith Blair, and Natalie 
Jordan, Mrs. Lieutenant Gilmore, and Misses Mary Van Zandt and Kate Riggs. 

The ladies in charge of this dance were Mrs. Thomas Riggs, Mrs. J. J. 
Washburn, Mrs. E. B. Youmans, Mrs. Representative Markham, Mrs. Fred 
A. Starring, Mrs. Senator Sabin, Mrs. E. H. Congor, of Iowa, Mrs. R. J. 
Sauzade and Mrs. Representative Seymour, of Connecticut. 

The minuet, the stately court dance of the French Empire of the last cen 
tury, was rich in costume and admirable in execution. Its preparation was 
under the patronage of Mrs. Senator Dolph, of Oregon, Mrs. Edward Hal- 
liday, and Mrs. S. D. Pinson. 

The toilettes of the ladies, who numbered twelve, were designed after the 
representations of the court dresses of the days of the Louis, some of them 
being historic. 

Miss Waite, the daughter of the Chief Justice cf the United States, 
who led the minuet, wore a costume of white satin, with pink front, em 
broidered in bright colors, princess train. Miss Louisiana Durant wore a pink, 
quilted satin petticoat and Watteau trained overdress of white satin, brocaded 
with pink flowers and trimmed with point lace; ornaments, medallions. This 
dress and medallions were worn by Miss Durant s great-great-grandmother at 
the Danish court. Miss Sarah Jewett wore a white satin petticoat, embroid 
ered in gold, pale green satin trriin and bodice of the same color ; diamond 
ornaments were worn in the hair and about the throat. Miss Nannie Kelly, 
daughter of ex-Senator Kelly, of Oregon, wore a primrose silk court train 
and satin petticoat of the same shade elaborately embroidered in gold and 
trimmed with gold-spangled gauze, high powdered hair, decorated with prim 
rose plumes, pearl ornaments, with an antique amethyst medallion, a family 



THE KIRMES. 235 

heir-loom. Miss Grace Stevens, of New York, had on a magnificent costume 
of white silk, train, with petticoat covered with flounces of rare French lace, 
which has been in her family for 250 years. The whole costume was modeled 
after the French court style. Hair and corsage were dressed with pink feath 
ers, diamond ornaments. Miss Evangeline Munson s costume was of the 
Louis XIV period, with pink quilted satin petticoat and Nile green Watteau 
train ; hair dressed high in puffs, powderel and ornamented with a pink aig 
rette of feathers; pink feather fan, diamond ornaments. Miss Isabel Taylor 
wore a white silk flowered petticoat, with Marie Louise blue court train and 
corsage, cut square and trimmed with duchess lace ; ornaments, pearls, and 
diamonds. Miss Ines Springer had on a cream faille Franfaise court train, 
with pink brocaded front; hair dressed a la Pompadour, pink aigrettes; pearl 
ornaments. Miss Lawton wore a pink silk robe, brocaded in white roses, the 
dress, excepting some slight alterations, was worn by her mother, daughter of 
Horatio King, when invited by President Buchanan and Miss Lane to meet 
the Prince of Wales; jewelry, strung pearls. Miss Stella Evans, of Tennes 
see, was costumed in a sixteenth century light blue plush dress, with court 
train and diamond ornaments. 

The costumes of the gentlemen were in keeping with the elegant court toil 
ets of the ladies, partaking of the lavish style of the courtiers of the royal 
salons of Versailles and the Tuilleries. William Acklen, of Tennessee, who 
was Miss Waite s partner, wore a cherry-colored satin costume, trimmed with 
old gold satin, the vest embroidered in violet, gold, and red, with knee 
breeches, and flesh colored stockings, red heeled pumps, and diamond 
buckles, hair powdered. The costumes of the remaining gentlemen were of 
the same general style, but differed in color, so as to give variety. The other 
^entlemen were Richard C. Poultney, of Baltimore, in gray silver brocaded 
court costume. Edgar F. Hubbell, a canary coat, with gold lace, blue vest. 
Dr. F. Pierre Hoover, blue satin coat. George E. Earlie, black satin coat, 
and knee-breeches, with crimson vest, embroidered in gold, white wig. 
Fred. F. Church, in blue satin coat. S. C. Elliott, black velvet coat, with 
silver lacings, old gold satin vest. William Hay wood, coat of gendarme blue 
satin, embroidered with gold. Frederick D. Owen, coat of old gold satin, 
with embroideries of light blue, and ruffles of old lace, knee-breeches of the 
same color, waistcoat of light blue satin, heavily embroidered with gold lace. 
George Frank Erdman, white silk plush suit, embroidered in gold buttons, 
vest of pink corded silk, trimmed with gold, and pink silk hose, low cut shoes 
with diamond buckles. Charles S. Wilson, gendarme blue satin, with silver, 
old gold waistcoat and trousers, and white silk stockings. 

The thirty-two fair maidens of Normandy, were dressed in pink, and blue 
satin skirts, the former trimmed with blue, and the latter with red ribbons. 



236 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

The black bodices were pointed in the front and back, with white miule ker 
chiefs and sleeves, and overskirt of elaborately flowered material cut in the old 
Dolly Varclen style, and dainty white lace apron. The head dress consisted of 
the high cap of the Norman peasants, decorated with bright blue or red rib 
bons. Their feet were clad in black slippers, with high pink heels. The 
plain gold crosses common among the peasant classes of Catholic countries, 
were worn suspended from the throat by velvet bands. 

The evolutions of this spirited dance were well executed by Misses Katie 
Jones, Clara Knight, Louise Grosvenor, Virginia Sherwood, Mary Halstead, 
Laura Zeh, Villa Custis, Alma Solomons, Lyle Williams, Mattie Dowd, Nel 
lie Manly, Edith Read, Gertrude Ried, Lulu Robison, Flora Gibson, Belle 
Gibson, Lillie Mahon, Clara Gaylord, Sallie Newton, Rowena Hutchison, 
Katie Howe, Florence Crogan, Maud Schmidberger, Jennie Dangerfield, 
Tillie Koehler, Ida Thomason, Laura Detweiler, Stella Merrett, Marion 
Lockvood, Maud Boyton, Jennie Gibson and Miss Fletcher. 

The lady patrons of this beautiful dance were Mrs. Senator Warner Miller, 
Mrs. Lewis Clephane, one of the most energetic projectors of the whole en 
tertainment, Mrs. W. W. Upton, Mrs. I. M. Bittenger, Mrs. Charles II. Al 
len, Mrs. R. J. Fisher, jr. and Mrs. J. H. McGill. 

The realistic features of the dances culminated in the Indian dance, which 
was the largest in numbers, having fifty members. Most of the costumes 
were historical, having been the dress and trappings of noted chiefs and gen 
uine warriors. The dance was in two figures. The braves led off in a jog 
ging trot. Then followed the war dance wiih whooping and brandishing of 
tomahawks, and culminating in tableaus, introducing gleaming knives and 
uplifted battle clubs over prostrate foes. The squaws advancing, joined in the 
dance, singing a weird song. 

The second figure represented a series of picturesque maneuvers, culmin 
ating in groupings and tableaus of savage life, and closed with a war dance. 
The costumes of the squaws exhibited the contrasts of somber and brightest 
colors. The petticoats were black, with a band of bright crimson at the foot. 
The blankets were swung over the right shoulder and dropped under the left 
arm, displaying the sleeveless high necked white blouses. The sashes were 
knotted loosely at the right side, and were edged with wampum shells and 
other IndLn ornaments. The hair was brushed back. Black stockings and 
beaded moccasins were also worn. 

The costumes of the braves were perfect in all the gorgeousness of the 
wardrobe of a savage. 

The leader, Herman H. Birney, wore a buckskin coat, with fringed borders 
and sleeves, an elaborately beaded and studded belt over a short skirt of 
frilled buckskin, and leggins of dressed hide, bordered with fringe and metal 



THE K1RMES. 



237 



cones. The leggins were adorned with sca ps and belts. His head dress 
was Leaded with long Indian hair, surmounted with tall feathers and a hawk- 
tail crest, which was continued down the back. 

1 he other costumes of the braves were equally elaborate and aggregately 
presented a finer array of genuine Indian apparel, ornaments, trappings, and im 
plements, than has ever been witnessed on any similar occasion in this country. 

The fifty-t\vo dancers were Misses Mary Barnard, Carrie Borland, Grace 
Black, Stella Cotton, Virginia Cartwright, Carrie Cotterill, Saidee Drown, 
Elsie McElroy, Addie Gensler, Agnes Hutton, Mary King, Virginia Keech, 
Lulu Minear, May Sypher, Kitty Thompson, Fanny Wilson, May \Vilson, 
Alice Willoughby, Ellen Barry, Frances Woods, Carrie Chambers, Louise 
Massey, La Burtte Shepherd, Ethel Grofnn, and Flora and Frank Smalley. 

The braves were Herman H. Birney, Charles Brayman, Dr. E. R. Rush, 
E. R. Todd, John D. Black, II. C. Merrill, Ralph R. Upton, Zuni dress, Dr. 
Charles R. Collins, D. C. Harrison, dress taken from an Indian killed at the 
Caster massacer, Howard Cook, Newton Collamer, costume worn by Red 
Cloud, Charles E. Cook, Clarence Dutton, Navajo costume, William M. Ll- 
liott, William B. Hardy, represented Black Hawk, C. G. Van Hook, dress of 
a Sioux warrior, R. C. McKinney, costume of a famous L te chief, Francis M. 
Phillips, T. W. Birney, a Seminole chiefs head-dress, Jay H. Sypher, Harry 
Smith, Richard Towson, dress from the Custer battle-field, Herbert S. 
Town, head-dress from the tail of one of Custer s horses, and feathers worn 
by a Siouz chief, A. J. Smith, H. D. Wilson, whose head-dress was dug from 
the grave of a medicine man of the Sioux, consisting of twelve horns of the 
Rocky mountain goat. The braves carried tomahawks, some of which had 
seen service, and all were elaborately decorated. 

The ladies to whom was due the success of this intricate and elaborate 
dance, were Mrs. J. C. Black, wife of the Commissioner of Pensions, Mrs. 
Russell Lord, Mrs. J. H. Oberly, and Mrs. Jules Guthridge. 

The Swedish dancers next moved upon the platform wearing blue skirts, 
crossed or striped with bright orange ribbons and trimmed with a garnet 
band at the foot. Low necked bodices cut pointed in front and back, with 
short sleeves, were worn over lace waists sheered at the neck with short 
puffed sleeves. From the right shoulder streamed long ribbons of the national 
colors, orange, blue, and red. The high peasant caps were of black velvet, 
ornamented with a red band, with the hair hanging in two plaits from be 
neath them. Ordinary slippers were worn with black stockings; short wands, 
with many streamers of the national colors and three large sleigh bells at 
tached to them, were borne in the hand and shaken in harmony with the music 
and dance. The leaders wore dainty red pockets on their skirts and the other 
dancers black pockets. 



238 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The gentlemen wore white shirts with rolling collars and cuffs, lemon-col 
ored and velvet knee-breeches, with bands of different colored ribbon at the 
knee, blue silk stockings, bright red vests, with a blue sash tied about the 
waist, and blue scarf cravats, and felt hats trimmed with ribbons. The six 
teen lady and equal number of gentlemen dancers were Bertha D. Lincoln, 
Anita Hendrie, Annie Meacham, Maud Moore, Nellie Teele, Annie Major, 
Nina G union, Alice Clark, Annie Case, Edith Heaton, Anna Heaton, Myra 
Whitney, Richard K. Tyler, Judson A. Lamon, Leonard Bradley, James H. 
Shaffer, Norman Fleming, Clarence Doyle, Frank P. Reeside, A. C. Mc- 
Nulty, H. S Reeside, Wm. N. Dudley, S. Taylor Grimes, \Vm. C. Prentice. 

The chairman and aids of the Swedish dance, were Mrs. Representative 
Poindexter Dunn, Mrs. Dr. George H. Heron, Mrs. Senator Kenna, of West 
Virginia, Mrs. S. Taylor Suit, Mrs. Commissioner W. A. J. Sparks, of Illi 
nois, Mrs. S. K. Hannegan, Mrs. J. S. Miller, wife of the Commissioner of 
the Internal Revenue, Mrs. Senator A. P. Williams, of California. 

The Gypsy dance closed the Kirmes list. The bright costumes, waving 
tambourines, covered with streamers of vari-colored ribbons, and the light, 
active step, combined in making the finale the very poetry of motion and colors. 

The leader of the forty dancers, Miss Mary Butterworth, was elegantly 
attired in a full skirt of yellow satin, draped in red and gold tinsel, a tunic 
of red velvet, and yellow satin, with bullion fringe, a bodice of red velvet, 
with zouave jacket of red and gold, with short sleeves the whole surmounted 
by a jaunty cap of gold. Miss Janet Richards wore a striking costume, the 
skirt of red and blue satin, trimmed with stars and crescents of gold, bodice of 
blue satin trimmed with gold coins, zouave jacket of black velvet, covered 
with sequins and gold lace, Roman cap trimmed with coins the whole cos 
tume draped with numerous chains. 

The toilets of the other ladies followed this ger.eral design. They were 
Miss Pearl Foster, of Alabama, Alice Henning, Lucy Li .ley, Pauline Wright, 
of Nashville, Tennessee, Isabel Elliot, Leila Twigg, of Georgia, Leila Her 
bert, of Alabama, Sophie Lee Jackson, of Montgomery, Alabama, Lize 
Thompson, of Columbia, South Carolina, May Smith, Ada Bond, Rhoda 
Christmas, Toinette Ford, Claude Money, of Mississippi, Rosa Cotterille, 
Nellie Peck, of Connecticut, Grace Bean, daughter of the Delegate from Ari 
zona, Corinne McFarland. 

Hiram E. Mitchell, son of Senator Mitchell, who led the gentlemen, wore 
black velvet knickerbockers, trimmed with gold lace, and sequins, and a 
zouave jacket covered with steel chains, like armor, with pendants. His red 
silk stockings were laced with yellow and green ribbons. The shirt was of red 
and white striped silk, with a wide collar and wide cuffs, turned back. 
Large bow of yellow silk for neck-tie. Fleming J. Lavender, the second 



THE KIR MRS. 239 

leader, whose partner was Miss Money, was in green velvet, heavily embroid 
ered in gold, with red trimming, sash, of red silk, and stockings of red, with 
green, gold and black ribbons ; green hat, ornamented with coins and brilliants. 

The costumes of the other gentlemen cor.formed to this general style. 
The dancers were Edward W. Doan, W. H. Welsh, jr., George P. Money, 
Charles Lavender, John M. Thompson, of South Carolina, Richard II. Gorgas, 
ofTuscaloosa, Alabama, JohnC. Pugh, of Alabama, Keith Forest, Z. M. Knott, 
J. W. Coleman, Joseph H. Welsh, J. M. Cary, of Alabama, McConnell 
Shelley, A. W. Martin, Frank B.Clements, II. R. Lamb, and Malcom Henry. 

This dance was under the supervision of Mrs. A. W. Cochran, daughter of 
Senator Pugh, Mrs. Postmaster General Vilas, Mrs. John II. Whi e, Mrs. 
Representative Butterworth, of Ohio, Mrs. Senator Pugh, of Alabama, Mrs. 
Representative Martin, of Alabama, Mrs. Dr. Pope, Mrs. II. II. Smith, wife 
of the Journal Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

At the close of the regular dances the remainder of the evening was en 
livened by general dancing, the dresses producing a picturesque and gro 
tesque effect. The dance of all nations became a babel of costumes, Indian 
braves dancing with dames of the court of Louis XIV, Holland peasants with 
Neapolitans, flower girls with dusky skinned gypsies, and blonde Normans 
with brunette Castillians. 

The excellent arrangements for the supper were under the direction of Mrs. 
James II. McGill, who was assisted by Mrs. R. G. Rutherford, Mrs. General 
Birney, Mrs. Dr. Heron, Mrs. Bartlett, and Mrs. Douglass, Miss Annie 
Pratt, Miss Sophie Pratt, Mrs. Thomas Hampson, Mrs. Norman Wiard, Mrs. 
Bentley, Mrs. S. E. Lloyd, Mrs. R. W. Tyler, Mrs. Dr. Gardiner, Mrs. Rus 
sell Lord, Mrs. William Richards, Mrs. T. F. Martin, Mrs. A.F. Childs, Mrs. 
N. B. Walker, Mrs. A. H. Bennett, Miss Margaret Oliver, Miss Gussie 
Snouffer, Miss Louisiana Grigsby, and Miss Rose Poesche, Mrs Frank Heat- 
on, Mrs. C. B. Reed, Mrs. W. F. Warner, and Mrs. W r illiam Shuster, jr. 

The tables in the dining-room were in charge of Mrs. W. I. Sherwood, 
Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Norman Wiard, Mrs. Dr. Heron, Mrs. Robert Niles, Mrs. 
Kemble, Mrs. A. H. Walker, Mrs. A. B. Johnson, Mrs. S. E. Lloyd, Mrs. 
I. M. Bittenger, Mrs. William Hornaday, Mrs. A. II. Martin, Mrs. C. A. 
Snow, Mrs. Russell Lord, Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Tousey, Mrs. Paymaster Al 
len, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Bentley, Mrs. Scott Smith, Mrs. Beach Taylor, Miss 
Carrie Randolph, and Mrs. William Richards. 

The young ladies who waited on the tables were Miss Cecelia Culber, Miss 
Lola Campbell, Miss Cox, Miss Ida Reuss, Miss Lucia Hugle, Miss Hattie 
Sloat, Miss Ingraham, Miss Getchell, Miss Lockwood, Miss Luse, Miss 
\Vilson, Miss Church, Miss Bessie Rutherford, Miss Adelaide Pratt, Miss 
Sophie Pratt, Mis? Annie Pratt, Miss May Merrill, Miss Sallie Huston, 



240 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Miss Nellie Walker, Miss Beaudolph, Miss Beach, Mrs. II. Thompson, Miss 
Orms, Miss Duell, Miss Bessie McGowan, Miss Genevieve Fleming, Miss 
Isaacs, Miss Lula Bryan, Miss Campbell, Miss Schelley, Miss Beragh, and 
Miss Heilprin. The lemonade well was waited upon by Misses Canfield, 
Goddard, Porte, McWilliams, Scovill and Morgan. 

The ladies at the flower booth were Misses Carrie and Alice Jenkins, 
daughters of Admiral Jenkins, and Misses Annie and Jennie Day, of War- 
renton, Va. 

The stage direction was under Mrs. Charles NordhofF, Mrs. Dr. Pope, and 
St. Julian Filette. 

The ladies of the executive committee of nine, to whom the entire social 
world of the capital was under obligation for the largest and finest enter 
tainment of a public character ever witnessed in Washington, were Mrs. 
Charles Nordhoff, Mrs. S. C. Martin, Mrs. William Birney, Mrs. Lewis Cle- 
phane, Mrs. G. H. Wilcox, Mrs. Dr. Pope, Mrs. R. G. Rutherford, Mrs. A. 
F. Childs, and Mrs. Isabella M. Bittmger. These ladies had general control 
of the affair, but were aided by many members of the aid association, inclu 
ding the following: 

Mrs. A. S. Pratt, Mrs. F. M. Heaton, Mrs. J. J. Edson, Mrs. M. A. 
Clancy, Mrs. Dr. George H. Heron, Mrs. S. F. Davis, Mrs. R. G. Fisher, 
Mrs. R. W. Tyler, Mrs. W. J. Vanderlip, Mrs. Dr. S. S. Stearns, Mrs. J. S. 
Bolway, Mrs. Dr. C. P. Culver, Mrs. Thomas Hampson, Mrs. James H. 
McGill, Mrs. Win. Tindall, Mrs. T. H. Martin, Mrs. Sara Spencer, Mrs. 
William Richards, Miss Janet Richards, Miss Tenie Somerville, Mrs. C. H. 
Bartlett, Mrs. A. A. Birney, Mrs. Job Barnard, Mrs. George Beale, Mrs. J. 
O. Clephane, Mrs. F. B. Conger, Mrs. H. S. Cummings, Mrs. Frances 
Coulton, Mrs. Crowinshield, Mrs. William A. Day, Mrs. Senator Dawes, 
Mrs. Nelson Dingley, jr., Mrs. Sarah Davis, Mrs. E. John Ellis, Mrs. J. V. 
L. Findlay, Mrs. C. S. Grimer, Mrs. E. S. Hutchinson, Mrs. Helen Kirby, 
Mrs. Gammond Kennedy, Mrs. L. Z. Leiter, Mrs. Senator Palmer, Mrs. 
Charles Reade, Mrs. William Springer, Mrs. Leland Stanford, Mrs. Dr. T. 
S. Verdi, Mrs. Dr. Wadsworth, and Mrs. N. B. Walker. 

Through the efforts of the ladies of the institution, and the enthusiastic coop 
eration of the best society of the capital, the National Homeopathic Hospital 
was relieved from debt, with a good fund for maintenance. 

At the close of the season the lady managers gave a complimentary costume 
ball and reception to the dancers in the Kirmes, which was a brilliant affair, 
both in its scenic effects and in the distinguished personages assembled. 

THE EXD. 



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